Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Pidgeon for her comprehensive presentation. I wish to raise a few issues. I fully accept there are 62,000 nurses and midwives on the register and each one of them has to renew their registration every year.

Dr. Pidgeon gave a summary in regard to the people who are qualifying in Ireland and that they registered within 15 working days. That system seems to be very well set up. What is the staffing level dealing with the number of applications from people outside Ireland and from those who are non-EU citizens? Is there a gap between the time an application is received and when it is assessed to ascertain if inadequate documentation has been submitted or, on receipt of applications, are they assessed to determine if all the required documentation has been submitted, while not fully examining the application but merely identifying that if eight of nine items of documentation are required, they have been submitted?

I also wish to raise the issue of adaptation courses. I understand from Nursing Homes Ireland that more than 330 people have to take adaptation courses. Is there an adequate number of adaptation courses available and, if not, what mechanism is being put in place to ensure there will be an adequate number of them? I understand there is a long waiting list for them and that even if it is agreed and approved, people can practice in Ireland who must complete an adaptation course. What is the process for getting on to an adaptation course and what is the waiting period involved?

This question of the availability of adaptation courses is an important factor in addressing the broader issue. My understanding is that the HSE is not providing an adequate number of courses and Nursing Homes Ireland has had to enter into discussions with other organisations about putting courses in place. That needs to be clarified. We can complain all we like about delays in registration but if the adaptation courses are not in place, we are not really achieving anything.

Although it is not a matter for the delegates, I am aware of a case involving a medical doctor who, after graduating in Ireland, went to work in New Zealand. Within two weeks of applying for registration there, this person was eligible to practise. By contrast, when the individual returned to Ireland two years later, the registration process was still not completed eight weeks after the person had applied to the Medical Council. We seem to have a problem in terms of putting in place appropriate mechanisms for processing applications to register as health care professionals in this country. I fully acknowledge the difficulties that have arisen for the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland as a result of the sudden increase in applications and the staffing issues it has to address. I am concerned, however, about what is being done in respect of the provision of adaptation courses. Even if we deal with the first problem, that issue will remain to be resolved.