Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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179. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the processing time for registration of radiation therapists, the current average processing time, and his Department’s target registration processing time by the end of quarter 4 2024 and the end of quarter 4 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39514/24]

Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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180. To ask the Minister for Health his Department’s target processing time for the recognition of qualifications awarded outside the State for radiation therapists, in advance of their registration, given the inclusion of radiation therapists on the critical skills list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39515/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 180 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, CORU is Ireland’s independent, multi-profession regulator whose role is to protect the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct, education, training and competence through statutory registration of health and social care professionals.

Because of its statutory obligation to protect the public CORU must ensure the process of both recognition and registration is robust, fair and thorough, but it also works closely with applicants to provide information and support.

In the processing of recognition applications, CORU adheres to the rules and timelines as set out by the EU Professional Qualifications Directive – Directive 2005/36/EC. Receipt of an application must be acknowledged within one month of its receipt and any missing documents must be highlighted. A final decision on an application should be provided as soon as possible following the submission of a complete application but no later than four months following receipt of a complete application. CORU always endeavours to process recognition applications in a timely manner and to ensure recognition decisions are completed as expeditiously as possible.

I can confirm that officials in my department are in regular contact with CORU to discuss ways in which timelines and processes can be improved and implemented. CORU has made significant progress in reducing both recognition and registration timelines throughout 2024.

Regarding the recognition of non-Irish radiation therapy qualifications, the time from when a complete application has been received to a decision being made has significantly reduced since the start of 2024 as can be seen in the table below. This is despite the number of file complete applications for recognition of such qualifications continuing to rise (37 to end-August 2024 v 19 total in 2023) as well as the total number of applications received (42 to end August 2024 v 35 total in 2023).

Recognition timeframe from file complete to decision (based on 1st decisions made)

Regarding the processing time for registration of radiation therapists, significant improvement has also been noted with processing times reducing from an average of 76 days in January 2024 to 54 days in August 2024.

Registration processing times for radiation therapists

These improvements are a result of several new initiatives and programmes of work to support changes being undertaken by CORU and include:

• The introduction of new pathways to recognition, in particular the Frequently Seen Qualifications programme which includes both programme alignment and standards alignment (currently in place for UK professional qualifications where standards align with those of Ireland). When good alignment of standards/qualifications can be confirmed, such applications do not require an individualised approach to recognition and can be ‘automatically’ recognised. The process currently applies to those presenting with UK qualifications only but CORU hope to expand the initiative to other countries going forward.
• Improvements resulting from the new integrated application/registrant system (currently in place for social care workers only but roll out for all professions expected by end-November).
• Delegation of low-risk decisions to the registrar which significantly reduces the timeline for recognition applications from a complete file being received to a final recognition decision.
• Improved engagement with stakeholders, including improved guidance material and simplification of document requirements.
• New training and procedures integration for assessors of applications, board members and the CORU recognition team.