Ms Ursula Byrne:

On the 698 who are in the system longer than 12 months, it is our policy that if we have not received all the required documents by the end of a calendar year, we close the file. However, closing files requires resources and we took a decision to prioritise trying to progress those files that are still active and ongoing, rather than diverting resources to closing others. When our staffing numbers are back to the required levels, we will review whether those files can be progressed or closed. It is not in anybody's interests to have applications through the system.

For those who are working as care staff in Ireland and have applied, the fact that they are physically in this country does not change the dynamic of their applications, except that they may find it more difficult to get their supporting documents. We are trying to increase the level of feedback to applicants on where their applications are in the system and how they are progressing. We have very long-standing, ongoing communication with our colleagues in the UK. The UK system, which was recently revamped, is on a par with our own in terms of the documents required and level of complexity of the process. I would question whether people are able to get registered in the UK within a matter of weeks. There are no short cuts in the UK and their process is as rigorous as ours.