Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 222: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if non-EU and non-EEA doctors are allowed to participate in the general medical scheme here; the conditions that apply to such participation; the number of non-EU doctors recognised as general practitioners by the Medical Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13395/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Vacancies for GMS posts are advertised in the national and medical newspapers and applications invited from suitably qualified persons. Applicants, whether from this or another jurisdiction, must satisfy the provisions of EU Directive 93/16/EEC. This directive facilitates the free movement of doctors and the mutual recognition of their diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications. It also stipulates the requirement in respect of vocational training for persons seeking to be considered for such posts.

Recent information from the Medical Council indicates that 833 doctors are fully registered under reciprocal agreements with New Zealand, South Africa, Australia — except Tasmania — and Canada — except Saskatchewan — and that there are 2,121 fully registered doctors from non-EU countries such as Pakistan, India, Egypt, Sudan, Nigeria, etc. However, whereas these doctors could technically set up as general practitioners in Ireland, they may not be eligible to hold contracts under the GMS scheme unless they fulfil the qualification criteria as mentioned above. Also, it should be noted that these numbers include doctors currently working in hospitals. Statistics on the ethnicity of the general practitioners are not recorded.