Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1483. To ask the Minister for Health the average processing period for the recognition of qualifications by CORU of speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists who were trained and qualified in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16866/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The following data show the average days required to reach a decision on an application for recognition of qualifications awarded in Northern Ireland for Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists. The following data relate to 51 ab initio decisions made over a five year period.

The recognition process involves an individualised portfolio-style assessment of each applicant's formal qualifications, any further learning and post-qualification experience against the Standard of Proficiency for that profession in Ireland. The purpose is to ensure that internationally trained professionals are prepared for practice of the profession as it operates in the Irish system and that no substantial deficits in areas critical to safe practice of the profession exit.

A significant increase in timeframes was identified and addressed in 2020 and 2021. Delays arose primarily from the impact of working from home and procedural changes, as well as access to verifications etc. during the COVID pandemic. A number steps have been taken to reduce timeframes since this period including:

• Increased frequency of Registration Board meetings - from 6 to 9 meetings a year for each Registration Board.
• Increased staffing at Clerical and Executive Officer level.
• Full roll-out of an online applications' system and new database resource completed in 2021.
• Transition to a new system for remote access (moving from net connect to VPN) to reduce system downtime.
• Introduction of a new VOIP phone system to support applicants by phone and reduce email volume (speeding up communications).

Average days from submission of a complete file to completion of a decision for the recognition of qualifications process for applicants with qualifications from Northern Ireland 2018-2022