Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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339. To ask the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to improve the application process for applicants in the CORU regulation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33311/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, health professional regulators must apply high standards to the assessment of applications for registration from those who wish to work in our health services. This process must be robust to ensure patient safety but must also be fair to applicants.

CORU strives to reach their decisions in the shortest timeframe possible and officials in my Department continue to engage with them on a regular basis regarding recognition and registration timelines generally. In 2022, CORU’s Registration Boards made 48% more decisions on applications for recognition of international qualifications than they had in 2021 and the number of recognition applications has continued to increase in 2023.

Applicants are given extensive guidance notes on CORU's website and online application portal to assist with the process. CORU's phone lines are open daily from 10am to 1pm and emails are responded to as per service level agreements as set out in CORU's customer charter (2 days). Telephone calls are also facilitated outside of these times where necessary.

CORU has undertaken numerous measures aimed at reducing timeframes including:

• Work has been ongoing to identify possible new approaches for recognition of international qualifications. In addition, new systems operable within the law as it stands are being researched and tested to speed up the process.
• CORU invite applicants whose recognition applications are considered complete to apply for registration at that time so that the recognition and registration tasks can be processed in parallel.
• The frequency of Registration Board meetings has also been increased to allow for quicker decision-making.