Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1507. To ask the Minister for Health when computerised medical examinations for membership of medical governing bodies will resume given that frontline workers are vaccinated against the effects of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18100/21]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1678. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to provide temporary registration for those waiting for PRES 3 exams allowing those who qualified to work in hospitals until the exams are resumed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18626/21]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1679. To ask the Minister for Health when the new registration date for PRES 3 exams will be provided; if additional registration dates are being considered to allow more doctors who have been waiting for a long time to register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18627/21]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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1815. To ask the Minister for Health when, in view of easing of Covid restrictions, it is planned to hold pres three exams to allow foreign doctors currently living here to get permanent registration which will allow them to take up work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19047/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1507, 1678, 1679 and 1815 together.

I propose to take PQs 18100/21, 18626/21, 18627/21 and 19047/21 together.

The Pre-Registration Examination System (PRES) is an assessment of a doctor's clinical skills and is required by doctors seeking registration by the Medical Council on its general or trainee specialist division unless they are otherwise exempt. The PRES is conducted by medical schools on behalf of the Medical Council. Unfortunately, due to the onset of COVID-19, medical schools were unable to hold the PRES 3 exams last year. The Medical Council has advised that it has been in contact with the medical schools throughout the year with a view to holding the exams but the continuing restrictions associated with the third wave have impacted the ability to hold these exams given the high number of people involved, including candidates, examiners, patient actors and administration support. As these are clinical examinations, the doctors and patients/actors being in close proximity is unavoidable and would be contrary to social distancing guidelines.

The Medical Council has advised that it has remained in contact with the medical schools and the hosting of these exams is seen as a priority, with all parties agreeing that these exams must go ahead with the necessary arrangements and safety procedures in place. I have been advised that the Council and medical schools are exploring all options and hope to provide an update to candidates in the coming weeks.

The Medical Council understands the frustration felt by many of the doctors who have applied to take this exam, particularly those who are already living in Ireland. However, the Council’s priority is the safety of patients and it important that only doctors who meet the appropriate standards are able to practise medicine unsupervised. The President of the Council has written directly to the doctors waiting to take the exam to update them and to reassure them that all parties are working to find a safe solution.