Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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971. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the lack of a pre-registration examination system, PRES, 3 examination for foreign doctors means that many doctors working under temporary registration are not being considered for vacancies that arise given they do not have the permanent registration required; and his plans to ensure that the exams can go ahead and these doctors can get permanent registration. [11974/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Doctors who have qualified in another jurisdiction and whose qualifications do not entitle them to automatic recognition are required to pass or be exempt from the Medical Council’s pre-registration exam, the PRES, which has two components -the PRES 2 which is a computer based exam and the PRES 3 which is primarily a test of clinical skills in the main clinical disciplines of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Surgery, and Medicine/General Practice. The exam is in two parts, a written exam and an objective structured clinical examination to access the doctors communication, interpretation and practical skills. These exams form an important part of the registration and validation of qualifications and experience, carried out by the Medical Council to ensure doctors applying for registration meet the required standards for registration in Ireland and are an important means of protecting patients.

The PRES 3 exams were cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions and unfortunately, it has not been possible to reschedule as of yet due to the ongoing impact of these restrictions. The Medical Council have been in contact with the medical schools to explore the possibility of holding the PRES 3 exams as soon as is possible but a date cannot be set due to the ongoing impact of these restrictions. The Medical Council is keeping the matter under constant review and is keen to progress with the exams once it is safe for all participants to do so.