Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
2254. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the health and social care occupation groups which must now dual register in Ireland and Northern Ireland in which they practice on both sides of the Border; if he has engaged with his counterpart in Northern Ireland to ensure that practitioners on one side of the Border are recognised on the other side; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20294/21]
View answerHealth and social care professionals are regulated in Ireland by the Medical Council, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, the Dental Council, the Health and Social Care Professionals Council (CORU), and the Pre-hospital Emergency Care Council. There is no change to the requirement that health and social care professionals who wish to practise in Ireland must adhere to the relevant regulatory standards in place for their profession. In practical terms this may mean that an individual will need to maintain registration with the appropriate regulatory authority in Ireland if they wish to practice, regardless of any professional registration they have in another jurisdiction.
In recent months there has been significant engagement between officials in my Department and the NI Department of Health, and relevant regulators, so that a practical and pragmatic approach is taken in managing any regulatory issues identified in cross-border service delivery. I can advise that our shared focus is on the maintenance of existing services over the long term, and that this engagement will continue, at all levels, to prioritise the protection of patients and practitioners on both sides of the border.
