Written answers

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Department of Health

Medical Qualifications

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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1648. To ask the Minister for Health the average waiting times for first time Medical Council applications for general registration by non-EU applicants in each of the years 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021 from the time an application is made to the time a final decision is made; the average waiting times for first time Medical Council applications for general registration by applicants from the EU in the same period from the time an application is made to the time a final decision is made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14970/21]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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All medical practitioners who have obtained their professional qualifications outside of Ireland must have their qualifications recognised before they are eligible for registration with the Medical Council. Directive 2005/36/EC applies to all EU/EEA nationals wishing to practise a regulated profession in a Member State other than that in which they obtained their professional qualifications, and provides for the automatic recognition of qualifications for certain health professionals, including medical practitioners. There is no system of automatic recognition for non-EU/EEA qualifications, with such qualifications being assessed on a case by case basis.

Registration with the Medical Council involves firstly, the assessment of an application to determine if a doctor is eligible for registration, and secondly, the activation of registration.  Upon receipt of an application for registration, the Medical Council undertakes an initial assessment to ensure that all required documentation has been submitted. The formal assessment of an application commences when all of the required documentation has been received by the Council. Accordingly, the average wait times provided below are reflective of correctly presented applications, i.e. from the point that all required documentation has been received.

The average wait time for first time EU/EEA applications for general registration was 4 weeks in 2019 and 4 – 6 weeks in both 2020 and 2021. In respect of first time non-EU/EEA applications for general registration, the average wait time was 2 – 6 weeks in 2019 and 4 – 12 weeks in both 2020 and 2021. 

There are a number of challenges which are impacting on turn around times for first time applications for general registration. The main contributory factor to delays in processing times is the failure of applicants to submit all of the required documentation necessary for registration. Until all required documentation has been received it not possible to commence the formal assessment of, and subsequently finalise, an application. 

There are a number of reasons why it may be difficult for applicants to submit all of the required documentation necessary for registration. Covid-19 has also had a significant impact on this, whereby some medical schools and training bodies are closed, or working remotely, which has resulted in delays in issuing documentation, and in responding to requests for verification of credentials. The Medical Council receives a very high number of applications from doctors qualified in Pakistan, and over the past 18 months or so, the Pakistan Medical Council has been shut down on a number of occasions for extended periods. These closures have adversely impacted on the ability of such applicants to obtain necessary registration documents. 

The Medical Council makes every effort to assist applicants seeking registration and, in 2020, extended the timeframe for applicants to submit outstanding required documentation. In addition, when a non-EU/EEA applicant informs the Medical Council that they have a job offer, the Council makes every effort to expedite the application.

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