Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 April 2022
411. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will address the matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to PLAB 1 examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19061/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Medical Council is the statutory agency responsible for the registration and regulation of doctors in Ireland. In order to protect patients, it has a responsibility to ensure that all doctors registered to practise medicine in Ireland meet the requirements to practise, as set out in its legislation.
Doctors who have qualified outside the EU/EEA and whose qualifications do not entitle them to recognition under the EU Directive 2005/36/EC may be required to pass the Medical Council’s pre-registration exam (PRES) unless they are otherwise exempt. I am advised by the Medical Council that in order for a doctor to be eligible to apply for registration via the PRES route, they will need to pass one of the following four overseas exams:
- Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) Part 1
- United States Medical Licencing Exam (USMLE) Step 1 and 2 CK
- Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE) or MCCQE Part 1
- Australian Medical Council (AMC) MCQ
I have asked the Medical Council to forward further details on the above named exams directly to the Deputy for his information.
