Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the person who sets the course criteria for a course (details supplied); the options available to persons who have not passed their leaving certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38243/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council is the national body with responsibility for standards, education and training in pre-hospital emergency care in Ireland. The Council sets education standards and conducts examinations leading to the National Qualification in Emergency Medical Technology (NQEMT).

The current Council guidelines are contained in the Education and Training Standards 2007. The Guidelines set out the following minimum entry criteria.

- For the emergency medical technician course, candidates must be aged eighteen or over.

- For the paramedic course, candidates must be eighteen or over and educated to leaving certificate or equivalent standard.

- For the advanced paramedic course, candidates must have been registered paramedics for at least three years.

Recognised training institutions may have their own criteria in addition to the above requirements.