Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020
856. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the enactment of provisions set out in the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Act 2020 in order that medical professionals impacted will know when the provisions will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37083/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Act 2020 is a large and complex Act which has been several years in development. I am pleased to confirm that commencement began on November 6th with the removal of the requirement for applicants to hold the equivalence of the Irish certificate of experience for registration on the Trainee Specialist Division of the Medical Council’s register. The change is being made as many non-EEA trained doctors, who are already working in large numbers in Ireland under their registration on the General Division, are currently precluded from applying for post-graduate training despite having suitable skills, experience and competence.
Officials in my Department are liaising with the five health professional regulatory bodies to progress commencement of the Act's remaining provisions at the earliest opportunity. However, the amendments brought about by the Act involve a very significant body of work for each of the regulators as changes are being introduced across complex areas such as registration and fitness to practice processes. Some of these changes require the drafting of new rules and may require public consultation etc. While preparatory work is underway, it is not currently possible to provide a specific timeline.
