A new expert group to oversee the reform of medical education here has been established by Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin.
The move could lead to the introduction, as early as 2008, of aptitude tests for school-leavers hoping to enter the profession - and the removal of Leaving Cert results as the sole selection mechanism at undergraduate level.
The group, headed by the former chief executive of the Higher Education Authority, John Hayden, will also make recommendations on a suitable common selection process for entry to graduate medical programmes in the 2007/2008 academic year. This will be based on a review of international selection procedures.
Among the issues which the new group will examine in relation to entry into undergraduate medical training are:
• What is an appropriate selection test for entry, measuring aptitude and suitability of prospective candidates. This would be used in conjunction with CAO points.
• To review the appropriateness of the proposed 450 CAO points eligibility threshold for students wishing to be considered for entry into medical training.
• To consider whether all or a proportion of places should be allocated on the basis of a combination of CAO points and selection tests.
• To consider what weighting, if any, should be applied to the selection test scores of students achieving higher CAO points than the threshold.
• What number of places should be provided - and what arrangements should be made - for disadvantaged students.
• What practical arrangements are needed for students with a disability, and how to manage and administer any selection test. This would include minimising the pressure on students in their Leaving Cert year.
The establishment of the expert group follows confirmation last February by Ms Hanafin and Minister for Health Mary Harney of their plans to do so. At the time they also announced their intention to more than double the number of places in medical schools for Irish and EU students.
Under plans confirmed by the Department of Education yesterday the expert group will present preliminary proposals to Ms Hanafin in August.The department says this is to provide students entering the senior cycle at that time "with a clear indication of what is being proposed".
Other members of the group include Dr Martin Newell, former secretary of the CAO; Dr Jane Buttimer, Department of Health; Dr Thomas Kellaghan, St Patrick's College, Drumcondra; and Anne Looney, chief executive of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.