Sir, – Chris Luke (May 6th) suggests doctors get free (or partially discounted) medical education in return for serving six months reasonably-paid time in hospitals after training.
Why not extend the idea further? Given what it costs the State to educate doctors, many of whom go on to earn large sums for life (at no return to the State if they leave), I suggest doctors (and other top-earning graduates) start repaying part or all of their fees to the State once their earnings exceed a comfortable amount per annum. This repayment could extend over decades, from wherever in the world they work, as part of the deal by which the taxpayer funds their education.
Such funds could help reduce the cost of third-level education for all or endow more scholarship for less fortunate students. – Yours, etc,
JOHN COLLINS,
Skeoughvosteen,
Co Kilkenny.