Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2016
606. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will consider a new model for medical education and practice by making grants available to private entities promoting functional medicine and preventative medicine practices in the health care sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26668/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 7(4)(b) of the Health Act, 2004 the functions of the Health Service Executive include facilitating the education and training of students training to be registered medical practitioners and also nurses or other health professionals. Related to this function, section 86 of the Medical Practitioners Act assigns specific responsibilities to the Health Service Executive in relation to promoting the development of specialist medical and dental education.
I would expect the Executive in fulfilling its duties in relation to medical training to take account of the extent to which it would be considered necessary to encompass functional and preventative medicine practices in its engagement with the Medical Council, the Dental Council, the medical training bodies and the dental training bodies and to direct its funding of medical education and training accordingly.
