Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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442. To ask the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the validation and recognition of non-Irish qualifications. [14610/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Applications for recognition of qualifications are assessed under Directive 2005/36/EC which applies to all EEA nationals who wish to practise a regulated profession in an EEA Member State other than that in which they obtained their professional qualifications. Its intention is to make it easier for certain professionals to practise their professions in EEA countries other than their own but due safeguards are provided in the assessment of the qualification for public health and safety and consumer protection.

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 psychology, 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.

Due to the case-by-case nature of the assessment process and the need to examine an applicant’s individual professional experience, applications can take considerable time to process. For this reason, my Department's website advises that persons should not seek employment in their professional capacity in the public health sector unless and until their qualifications have been recognised. The Directive provides that a final decision must be communicated to the applicant within 4 months of submission of a complete application. A decision in the case raised by Deputy Collins is due on 18 June, 2016.