Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2022
672. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of United States trained physiotherapists who have applied to CORU for recognition in the past five years; the number of these who were accepted in the first instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24330/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCORU is Ireland's multi-profession health regulator for regulating health and social care professionals. CORU’s role is to protect the public by regulating the health and social care professions designated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended), including setting the standards that health and social care professionals must meet to be eligible for registration and maintaining registers of persons who meet those standards
There are two forms of application to CORU; applications for the recognition of qualifications received outside the State and applications for registration. Professional qualifications awarded outside the State are assessed through a process of “recognition” which involves expert assessment of a qualification’s alignment with the standards of proficiency required in Ireland, and assessment of professional experience and lifelong learning where required.
Where a health and social care professional qualifies outside the State and applies to register in Ireland, they must apply for the recognition of their qualification. EU/EEA applicants have the right to have their qualifications assessed in accordance with the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 and Directive 2005/36/EC on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications and the European Union (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2017 (SI No 8 of 2017). CORU applies the processes available to EU/EEA applicants universally in the interests of equal treatment of all applicants.
To date, from 1 January 2018, 14 physiotherapists holding qualifications awarded in the United State of America have been assessed by the Physiotherapists Registration Board. Of these 14, 9 have now had their qualifications recognised by CORU and a further 5 have been assigned compensation measures which have not yet been completed.
I trust that this information is of assistance to you.
