Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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1029. To ask the Minister for Health if a qualification for chiropodists obtained in Britain from the National Health Service is recognised here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33984/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I presume that the Deputy is referring to the recognition of non-Irish qualifications under Directive 2005/36/EC.

Directive 2005/36/EC applies to EEA nationals with EEA qualifications who wish to practise a regulated profession in an EEA State other than that in which they obtained their professional qualifications, on either a self-employed or employed basis. Its intention is to make it easier for qualified professionals to practise their professions in European countries other than their own. Public health and safety and consumer protection are safeguarded through the qualification recognition process.

To be eligible for consideration under the Directive, a person must be eligible to practise his/her profession in the country in which the qualification was obtained. Such eligibility to practise does not however confer automatic recognition of qualifications in another Member State. In the case of the health and social care professions, including chiropody/podiatry, the Directive provides for an assessment, on a case-by-case basis, of the formal qualifications and professional experience of an applicant against the qualifications required to practise in the host member state, i.e. Ireland, and to offer the applicant a compensation measure should deficits in qualifications be identified.

Under Statutory Instruments Nos. 139 and 166 of 2008, which transpose the Directive into Irish law, the Minister for Health is the competent authority for the recognition of chiropody/podiatry qualifications and is advised by the Podiatry Recognition of Overseas Qualifications Committee whose membership is comprised of representatives of the three chiropody/podiatry professional bodies in Ireland. The process is administered by the National Validation Office, Health Service Executive, Galway on behalf of the Minister.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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1030. To ask the Minister for Health if he will support a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33985/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the training pathway for a GP from college to final qualification includes the intern year and the four years of specialist training required to obtain specialist registration with the Medical Council. The direct costs associated with this training pathway are as follows:

- Interns are paid a basic salary of €31,938.

- Years one and two of specialist GP training are spent in training posts at SHO level in the hospital system, in specialties such as paediatrics, emergency medicine and psychiatry. The salary paid to GP trainees is €38,839 (year one) and €40,998 (year two).

- Years three and four are spent in a primary care setting, with an attachment to a dedicated GP trainer. The combined salary cost for these two years is €150,000; associated training and administrative costs amount to €58,000.