Vol. 549 No. 2
101 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has commissioned a document on the plan to ensure the competence of Irish registered doctors; if so, whether the plan contains a proposal to cut pay rates for doctors who do not sign up to competence assurance and prison sentences for breach of confidentiality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6170/02]
The Medical Council, which, under the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978, is the independent authority charged with regulation of medical practitioners, is currently examining how competence assurance might be implemented. The council has made significant progress towards the introduction of competency standards for Irish doctors. The council has appointed a director of competence assurance who is working with the Medical Council, the professional training bodies and an external reviewer in drawing up a structure which is scheduled to come into force in the next few years. A structure is needed because it is clearly important that doctors are able to demonstrate that competence is maintained, particularly to the public. I understand that the detail is being developed in close consultation with the key stakeholders, including doctors and their representatives, and they will be engaged in both a formal and informal way in developing the competency assessment structures. It is intended that the council will meet with officials of my Department in order to discuss the various approaches which are to be considered for implementation of competence assurance.
I recently commissioned a review of the competence assurance law in jurisdictions comparable to Ireland and the potential implications of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997 upon this process. The report includes an overview of the need for competence assurance, the implications of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997 and legislative measures enacted to protect doctors who are either undergoing or overseeing the competence assurance process.
