Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Stephen Donnelly for raising this with me and indeed for meeting me on it today in terms of trying to achieve what we are all trying to achieve, namely, the maximum number of nurses who want to work in our country being able to work in our country with as little bureaucracy as possible.

After talking to Deputy Stephen Donnelly earlier, I made some more inquiries, specifically in relation to nurses from the UK. A general nurse who trained in the UK has automatic qualification recognition rights in Ireland under the EU professional qualification directive. This means that her qualification is recognised in Ireland. A nurse needs only to show the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, NMBI, the parchment to prove that she has the qualification and does not need to show details of the syllabi or transcripts. Nurses need not contact the universities in the UK which, I accept, would be difficult at present. Obviously, if it is from Australia, nurses need a certificate of good standing to show that they are not struck off. In relation to any individual case, I am more than happy to talk to Deputy Stephen Donnelly. I am also more than happy to suggest on a cross-party basis we might meet with the Medical Council, the NMBI and others to make sure that the process is as streamlined as possible.

In relation to this amendment, my concern would primary relate to the fact that we do not have any residency test or reference to any residency in our legislation. If we were to get in to putting in a residency element proving that one lives in the UK, in fact, it could accidentally be another barrier. Also, how would other member states of the European feel in relation to that?

There is a long history in this country of nurses receiving excellent training in the UK and then returning to Ireland. I am informed that the existing NMBI process for the registration of EU or UK applications is one to two weeks. I take the point Deputy Stephen Donnelly will make that such a period is once they get their full application in. I will work with the Deputy to make sure there are no delays in that regard. I reminded the NMBI today that any extra resources it requires will be forthcoming.

There is no legislative necessity for this provision as it is already open to the cohort to apply to the NMBI for registration. We will make it as simple as possible.

I thank the Deputy for highlighting it. It is an important point but I believe we can deal with it outside of primary legislation.

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