Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2022
593. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the NFQ level assigned to the diploma in emergency medical science provided to trainee paramedics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9132/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a range of qualifications offered in the field of emergency medical science across a number of different levels of the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). These qualifications can be found on the Irish Register of Qualifications (IRQ) which is an online resource maintained by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) that provides a comprehensive and authoritative list of all quality-assured education and training qualifications on the NFQ. The IRQ can be accessed here: irq.ie/.
The professions of Paramedic, Advanced Paramedic and Emergency Medical Technician are regulated professions which, alongside various level of Responder, fall under the remit of the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC). PHECC is an independent statutory body, established by the Minister for Health, which sets the standards of education and training across these professions for the purposes of pre-hospital emergency care in Ireland. PHECC also holds responsibility for conducting examinations leading to the award of the National Qualification in Emergency Medical Technology (NQEMT). Where appropriate, education providers will develop their programme offerings to meet the accreditation standards set by PHECC. Further details on PHECC’s educational and training standards alongside information on approved training institutions and courses can be found on its website (www.phecit.ie/). The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science does not have a role in determining these educational standards.
