As an Irish-American with dual citizenship, Niamh McCarthy (26) opted to study medicine in Ireland even though it meant fees of up to €40,000 a year.

“My parents are Irish citizens and I wanted to come here,” she says. “I was told on entering UCD that my Irish citizenship would guarantee me an internship position here in Ireland when I graduate.”

Today, as a final-year student with accumulated debts of nearly $200,000 (€175,000), she finds she has no guarantee of an intern post.

This is due to a change announced last October which prioritises CAO (Central Applications Office) applicants from medical schools over international students.

“Now that I am in my final year and have taken out massive amounts of debt to finance my education, the HSE has decided that I am not an Irish citizen when it comes to internships. “

“The new rule is that I only get an internship after everyone who applied through the CAO. I feel that if they want to make a decision like this it should apply to new students entering medicine, so they can make a fully informed decision.

“Instead, they’re changing the rules for current students who were guaranteed something different.”

She has not given up fighting for an intern post, which is crucial element to her postgraduate education.

“I feel a bit betrayed. It’s having a huge impact on people’s lives. I hope there is a change of heart,” she says.

“I have delayed starting a family until I am working. I can’t get a mortgage because of my large student debt… I knew all of these things when I made my decision to study here, but I also knew that I was guaranteed by my Irish citizenship to an internship here. I thought I had security in a position here in Ireland. I no longer have that.”