Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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NMBI is vigilant to detect fraudulent documents or credentials in any application and has taken a number of steps to mitigate the risks.

Nurses and midwives who practise in Ireland must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). Nurses and midwives who qualified outside Ireland and who are seeking registration with NMBI must complete two processes: recognition of qualifications and registration.

The recognition process involves an administrative assessment of the application, including primary source verification of the applicant's education credentials and a verified certificate of good standing from every jurisdiction in which they practise. Most applicants from outside the EU will be required to complete a compensation measure to meet the national standards and requirements. Applicants can either complete a period of adaptation placement or undertake an aptitude test. Compensation measures can only be completed in approved sites in Ireland. There is no option to complete a compensation measure outside of the state.

Upon successful completion of a comprehension measure, the applicant can then apply for registration. Certificates of good standing may be re-verified when the applicant applies for registration.

Regarding the current investigation by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in the UK, I would like to assure the Deputy that the NMBI and NMC have a data-sharing arrangement in place to notify any Fitness to Practise (FTP) measures taken in relation to a registered nurse or midwife in either jurisdiction. The identity of the registrant and the measure imposed in FTP matters (with some exceptions) are shared between both regulators in the interest of public safety.