Written answers

Thursday, 28 January 2021

Department of Health

Health Services Staff

Photo of Richard Boyd BarrettRichard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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232. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the significant delays experienced by allied healthcare professionals in receiving their CORU registration; his plans to speed up the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4603/21]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, CORU is Ireland's multi-profession health and social care regulator. Its role is to protect the public by regulating the health and social care professions designated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended).

An individual can only be admitted to a CORU register when they have demonstrated to their registration board’s satisfaction that they are suitably qualified, have committed to adhere to their profession’s Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics, and are a fit and proper person to engage in the profession, which requires eVetting by the National Vetting Bureau.

I have consulted with CORU, who have confirmed that there are currently no delays within the CORU registration process, except for applications that are incomplete. Failure to submit correct documentation is the most common cause of delays in processing applications and every effort is made by CORU to ensure applicants submit the information required to allow for the smooth processing of their application.

Where applications are received with all required documentation, CORU endeavours to process these applications, including eVetting, within 14 weeks. Many applications especially those of graduates within the State are significantly quicker.

I have consulted with CORU, who have confirmed that they always prioritise those applicants with job offers, especially for critical hospital roles and will continue to do so.

In response to the pandemic and in line with Section 98 Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020, CORU also created an application process to enable former registered health sector professionals, who either voluntarily withdrew from the register of their designated profession or were removed due to non-payment of registration fees, to have their registration restored. CORU restored 26 applicants to the register under these Section 98 Emergency Measures.

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