Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2013
495. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health when an application for validation of radiographic qualification will be completed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo considering that the national validation office received the application on 27 November 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44200/13]
View answerAt present there is no system of statutory registration for radiographers in Ireland. However, the Radiographers Registration Board has been established and is expected to open its register on 31 October 2013.
In the absence of statutory registration, persons are free to work in the private health sector in Ireland without having their qualifications recognised. However, persons wishing to work in the publicly-funded health sector in Ireland who have obtained their qualifications outside the State must apply to have their professional qualifications recognised under Directive 2005/36/EC. Such qualifications are assessed for their equivalence to the Irish entry-level qualifications required to work in the public health sector.
In the case of the health and social care professions, including radiography, the Directive provides for an assessment, on a case-by-case basis, of the formal qualifications and professional experience of an applicant against the qualifications required to practise in the host member state, i.e. Ireland, and to offer the applicant a compensation measure should deficits in qualifications be identified.
Under Statutory Instruments Nos. 139 and 166 of 2008, which transpose the Directive into Irish law, the Minister for Health is the Competent Authority for the assessment of radiography qualifications and is advised by the Irish Institute of Radiography and Radiation Therapy (IIRRT). The National Validation Office, Health Service Executive, Galway administers the process on behalf of my Department.
In the case of the applicant to whom the Deputy refers, the IIRRT carried out an assessment of her qualifications and, based on the information provided, deficits were identified. She was therefore invited to submit further documentation to support her application. This documentation is currently being examined by the IIRRT and it is expected that a decision will issue to her shortly from my Office.
