The undergraduate admissions assessment for medicine in Ireland has come under fire for being "English-only".

Sean O Cuirreain, Irish language commissioner, was quoted by the Irish Times as saying Irish speakers were "put at a disadvantage" by the Health Professions Admission Test and called it "unwelcome" in today's society.

"I believe it to be unfair to Gaeltacht and Irish-medium students who are encouraged to study through Irish, but are offered no option but a test in English," he commented.

The Department of Education stated that it was a matter for the five medical colleges running the examinations to deal with and Mr O Cuirreain revealed that he had raised the issue with them.

Research has indicated recently that being able to speak Irish can be an advantage. A study by University of Ulster and the University of Limerick found that members of this demographic are generally better educated and less likely to be out of work.

Written by Donal Walsh

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