The students are in Ireland thanks to the Atlantic Bridge Programme, created by Ireland's medical schools to attract North American students in the face of growing competition from those in the Caribbean and elsewhere. The number of applications from Canada matches the decline in the number of first year positions at Canadian schools. Peter Nealon, the programme's director, says that about 70 applications a year now come from Canada, and about half of these are accepted. Almost all the applicants have been rejected by Canadian schools. The Canadian Medical Forum, which includes the Canadian Medical Association, has called for an increase in the number of government funded training positions from the current level of 100 slots to 120 slots per 100 medical school graduates.
Canadian students studying in Ireland find that their biggest problem is high debt loads.
Mr Nealon says their best bet to find a place to practise is in the United States.