Vol. 536 No. 5
255 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a proposal from the Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board advocating a radical expansion of its role; the main proposals received; and if he will make a statement on his views of those proposals. [15124/01]
The Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board has submitted a proposal for an expansion in its role. The board has proposed that it should be responsible for funding, supervising, regulating and evaluating postgraduate medical and dental education. The board has further proposed that its enhanced role should in future include: the development of strategies for the promotion, development and delivery of postgraduate medical and dental education and create clear accountability for its delivery; continue to advise on all matters, including financial issues, relating to the development and co-ordination of postgraduate medical and dental education and training; and continue to provide career guidance for registered medical practitioners and registered dentists. These proposals will be considered in the light of the recommendations of the Forum on Medical Manpower, the report of the steering group on the EU directive on working hours and the revision of the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978.
