190. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the initiatives being taken to incentivise Irish graduates to remain or return to Ireland, particularly in the medical and engineering professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34856/26]

The Programme for Government recognises the importance of retaining Irish graduates and supporting those who wish to return home, particularly in professions that are critical to Ireland’s social and economic development, including medicine and engineering.

In the area of medicine, the Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to progress tuition fee supports for students on Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) programmes. I have tasked my officials with advancing this work, and they are actively engaging across Departments in this regard. Senior officials from my Department and the Department of Health met last week to advance consideration of potential supports for medicine students, including those undertaking GEM programmes. This engagement reflects a shared willingness to collaborate in identifying fair, sustainable and implementable approaches across the higher education and health systems.

It is important to note that the State already provides substantial support for Graduate Entry Medicine. Tuition fees are significantly subsidised through Exchequer funding of over €16,000 per student per year, with total annual investment of approximately €13 million. Nevertheless, I recognise the significant financial pressures faced by students undertaking these programmes. In line with the Programme for Government, current work is focused on improving affordability while also supporting the retention of medical graduates within the Irish public health system, informed by workforce planning needs.

Alongside affordability measures, Government is also delivering a major expansion of medical education capacity as part of long-term workforce planning, including new programmes and additional places designed to strengthen domestic supply and reduce reliance on international recruitment.

With regard to engineering and construction-related professions, Ireland faces significant skills demand. Between now and 2030, Ireland will require between 69,000 and 79,000 additional construction sector workers to meet ambitious targets for residential construction and retrofitting alone. While my Department does not provide direct financial incentives for engineering or construction graduates to remain in or return to Ireland, it is leading a targeted communications campaign, Build Back Home, aimed at encouraging Irish construction workers currently abroad who are considering returning home.

The campaign was developed following feedback from Irish construction workers overseas, which identified a perception that skills and experience gained abroad may not be fully valued on return. Build Back Home seeks to address this by dispelling common misconceptions about moving home and by reassuring workers that experience gained internationally is valued and recognised in Ireland. The overall aim is to accelerate decision-making among those already considering a return.

I will continue to work with colleagues across Government to support initiatives that respond to workforce needs and that encourage Irish graduates and skilled professionals to build their careers in Ireland.