Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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336. To ask the Minister for Health to set out in tabular form the total number of trained physiotherapists from the United States who applied for international recognition through the CORU regulation process from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022, and 1 January 2023 to date; the number of applications that were refused during this timeframe; the number of applicants who submitted appeals on foot of initial refusal and the number of those approved and refused on foot of an appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33308/23]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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337. To ask the Minister for Health to set out in tabular form the total number of foreign-trained physiotherapists who applied for international recognition through the CORU regulation process from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022, and 1 January 2023 to date; the number of applications that were refused during this timeframe; the number of applicants who submitted appeals on foot of initial refusal and the number of those approved/refused on foot of an appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33309/23]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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338. To ask the Minister for Health the timeframe for the processing of appeals for foreign-trained physiotherapist applicants who applied for international recognition through the CORU regulation process in 2021, 2022, and 2023 to date; if these appeals are processed in chronological order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33310/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 336, 337 and 338 together.

Officials in my Department have been in touch with CORU to obtain the information requested by the Deputy.  The information below has been provided and the outstanding information requested will be sent to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.

Recognition applications from US qualified physiotherapists

Recognition applications from internationally qualified physiotherapists 

Please note, applications are not refused by CORU unless the applicant is ineligible to apply.  If an application does not meet the standards of proficiency for physiotherapists, the applicant is given an opportunity to undertake compensation measures to address any deficits in their application.  A compensation measure is put in place as an opportunity for the applicant to demonstrate the required standard of practice as upheld in Ireland to ensure protection of the public.  The applicant is given two opportunities to address deficits.  But if they fail on both occasions they can still reapply for recognition.

All appeals made to CORU across all professions are progressed as soon as reasonably practicable.  The relevant decision makers are external to CORU to ensure independence and integrity in the decision-making process. The timeframe for completion of appeals has typically been in the region of 4-6 months. Unfortunately, following a very high increase in appeals since late 2021 that timeframe has extended to approximately nine months. CORU appreciates the importance of addressing appeals as quickly as possible and makes every effort to ensure that applicants are supported through this process.