Points for medicine to rise despite extra places

A SURGE in applications means that Leaving Certificate points for medicine are set to rise again this summer despite Government commitments to reduce the pressure on school leavers chasing places.

Central Applications Office (CAO) figures show a 13% increase in those choosing medicine as their first preference in college lists this year.

The rise to 2,539 applications, among 8,515 listing medicine somewhere on their course choices, will mean that the Government’s provision of an extra 40 places for Irish and other EU students in medical schools this autumn is unlikely to have any impact on the high points required for entry to these courses.