asked the Minister for Education if his attention has been drawn to reports of a cut-back in the admittance to the medical schools; if he was consulted; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am informed that the question of the number of students who should be admitted to courses in medicine in future is at present under consideration by the universities jointly and by the Higher Education Authority. The authority will submit a report to me when consideration of the matter has been completed.

Has the Minister power to veto these proposals?

No. The universities make their own decisions. Naturally they would be conscious of the national interest and the general policy all over the country. They would reach their conclusions as regards the number of pupils they will allow to study medicine among themselves first, then in consultation with the HEA and then they would report to me on the situation.

What is the main reason for the proposed cut-back?

This country has always been able to absorb only a limited number of doctors but opportunities abroad are not the same as they were previously. The two main centres for our doctors were the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Would the Minister agree that we have too many doctors?

I would not be competent to say one way or the other. That question should be addressed to the Minister for Health.

If the universities do not want to produce any more doctors would they consider opening the schools to students from the Third World? Is it a matter of overcrowding our medical schools?

One of the factors involved is the number of places available. If everybody who wanted to do medicine was to be catered for, extra capital investment in universities would have to be made. It is not just a question of whether there will be jobs available when they leave university, there is also the question of the space available.

Is it intended to have these cut-backs in University College, Galway?

There is no intention at the moment of doing anything. When the universities have completed their examination the matter will be discussed with the HEA and a report will be submitted to me.

Is it not true that there is a limitation on the number of students being admitted to medical schools at present and that it is the Minister's intention to reduce that number further?

I have no intention of doing anything. As I said there is an examination being carried out at the moment to see whether this should be done.

Will the results be available before the leaving certificate results come out?

It will not come into effect in 1977.

Not 1977 because it is an election year.

The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.