Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 233: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding registration in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [36889/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I presume that the Deputy refers to an application, from the person whose details are supplied, to have her professional qualifications recognised under Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications. Qualification recognition and registration are distinct separate processes. At present there is no system for the statutory registration in Ireland of the profession of the applicant; this will in time be provided for by the relevant Registration Board of the Health and Social Care Professionals Council.

Directive 2005/36/EC applies to all EEA nationals wishing to practise a regulated profession in an EEA Member State other than that in which they obtained their professional qualifications. Its intention is to make it easier for certain professionals to practise their professions in EEA countries other than their own but due safeguards are provided in the assessment of the qualification for public health and safety and consumer protection.

For the purposes of the Directive, a regulated profession is defined as a professional activity access to which is subject, directly or indirectly, by virtue of legislative, regulatory or administrative provisions to the possession of specific professional qualifications. Where statutory registration does not exist for a profession in Ireland, non-Irish qualifications are assessed for their equivalence to the Irish entry-level qualifications required to work in the Health Service Executive. Persons should not seek employment in their professional capacity in the publicly-funded health service in Ireland unless and until their qualifications have been recognised.

Under Statutory Instruments Nos. 139 and 166 of 2008, which transpose the Directive into Irish law, the Minister for Health and Children is the Competent Authority for the profession in question; the process is administered by the National Validation Office of the Health Service Executive (NVO) which is advised by the relevant professional body.

For the profession of the person to whom the Deputy refers, the Directive does not provide for automatic recognition of professional qualifications obtained in another Member State; it provides for an assessment, on a case-by-case basis, of the qualifications of an applicant against those required to practise in the host member state. If the activities covered by the profession in the home and the host member state are not comparable, then the qualifications cannot be recognised. If the activities are comparable but deficits in the qualifications are identified, subsequent post-qualification professional experience of the applicant must be considered. If deficits still remain, the host Member State must offer an applicant a compensation measure, a choice of completing an adaptation period or taking an aptitude test.

Applications must be acknowledged within one month and the applicant informed of any missing document. A final decision must be communicated to the applicant within four months of submission of a complete application. These time frames are clearly signalled on the Department's and the NVO's websites.

It would be inappropriate to comment on individual applications but my Department is advised by the National Validation Office of the HSE that the applicant's initial application was incomplete. A complete application was acknowledged from the person concerned on 10th November, 2011 and a substantiated decision must therefore issue by 10th March, 2012. The Deputy will understand that, in the interest of patient safety, the applicant must allow time, as provided for in the EU Directive, for the assessment of her non-Irish qualifications to ensure they meet Irish standards.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 234: To ask the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the pay of hospital doctor consultants in line with the programme for Government commitment; if he will confirm if this is still his intention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36898/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

While the Programme for Government provides for a reduction in consultants' remuneration, my immediate priority is to achieve more effective implementation of the existing contract so that patients get faster access to services and that better patient outcomes are achieved within the budgets available to hospitals. I believe there is considerable scope under the existing contract and the Public Service Agreement to achieve greater productivity from consultants. For example, increased consultant participation in patient discharges at weekends could more quickly free up beds for emergency admissions. I am satisfied that considerable efficiencies can be achieved under the terms of the 2008 contract, if consultants embrace this reform agenda.

The 2008 Consultant contract provides for an extended working day, an increase in the length of the working week and structured weekend work, with consultants working as part of a team delivering the Clinical Directorate Service Plan and focusing on greater equity in the provision of care. I believe that the efficiencies, productivity increases and reform, if achieved, will be worth more to the health system than simply reducing the pay of consultants. I would therefore strongly encourage consultants and their representative bodies to engage in a meaningful way with the HSE and hospital management to progress this important agenda.