Dempsey signals rise in trainee doctors

THE number of places for Irish medical students is set to be considerably increased, Education Minister Noel Dempsey indicated last night.

A cap set by the Government in 1979 prevents the country's medical schools from accepting more than 300 Irish students each year. But the number of fee-paying non-EU trainee doctors continues to rise, reaching 500 entrants last year.

Mr Dempsey and Health Minister Mícheál Martin are awaiting a report from an expert working group which is expected to recommend the cap be either raised or lifted completely. But, Mr Dempsey said, it is inevitable they will recommend an increase in numbers.