Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 583: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will amend the requirement for the successful completion of the international English language testing system examination in order to obtain a person's registration with the Irish Medical Council; if an exemption may be created for people who have successfully completed English in their junior and leaving certificate examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31033/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Minister for Health and Children does not have a role in relation to setting the detailed requirements for registration with the Medical Council. These are defined by the Council in its own rules.

The Council has informed me that successful completion of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination, as a demonstration of competence in English, is the first step in the process of applying for registration with the Medical Council for a minority of doctors, mainly those from outside the EU. Under current legislation and regulations the majority of doctors do not have to sit the IELTS.

The requirement to provide evidence of competence in English is intended to safeguard the interests of patients as effective communication is at the core of being a good doctor.