Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 February 2024
143. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health for an update and details on medical internships and English language courses for Ukrainian doctors; the number of doctors who have been able to access this training already and future capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8126/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra146. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the difference between the medical system in Ireland versus Germany, France, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Italy, Slovakia and Poland where Ukrainian doctors have been able to register and work, secure internships, access English training or take up other medical positions as they train, but only a small number have been able to do so in Ireland where we are told there is a lack of State funded special language courses for doctors and a complicated medical qualification confirmation procedures in comparison with some other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8131/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 146 together.
I fully share the Deputy’s wish to see doctors and other health professionals fleeing the war in Ukraine gaining registration with their respective regulators and taking employment here. Officials from my Department, the HSE and the health profession regulators have been actively working towards this for some time now. Following an initial assessment it became clear that specialist English language training would be needed to enable doctors to meet the necessary standard. My Department made €1m available for training and registration costs in 2023 and a further €200,000 is available this year.
I am advised that following an initial assessment, 132 practitioners have either completed or are undertaking a 2, 4 or 12 week training programme. To date, thirteen groups of students have begun training, the last having commenced just this week. Eleven doctors and one dentist passed the exam on the first sitting and a further eight doctors and two dentists passed it on the second sitting. The exams continue to be taken on a rolling basis and many candidates are either awaiting results or have tests booked in the coming months. As the Deputy will appreciate there are unique challenges faced by these students in coping with their learning and living environments, family commitments and the emotional difficulty of being displaced by the war. Each person’s circumstances are different and while some choose to take the test immediately on completion of the course, others wish to take it later after further practice.
The Medical Council is responsible for the registration of doctors and has re-iterated its commitment to facilitating the registration and integration of Ukrainian doctors seeking to practise in Ireland, especially in light of the challenges posed by displacement. Recognising the unique circumstances of these doctors, the Council has put in place comprehensive measures to support their registration process, reflecting Ireland's broader commitment to offering refuge and professional opportunities to those affected by the crisis in Ukraine.
Doctors from Ukraine, depending on their qualifications and experience, may apply for registration in the General, Specialist, or Supervised Division of the Medical Register. For General registration, applicants benefit from the directives that allow doctors with qualifications from outside the EU, who have practised for a minimum of three years in an EU member state, exemption from the Pre Registration (PRES) exams, streamlining their path to registration. Others may need to navigate the PRES examination process or secure an exemption based on higher qualifications deemed acceptable by the Council.
To support these applicants effectively, the Medical Council has established an internal working group, engaged with Ukrainian representatives in Ireland, and provided targeted information through dedicated communication channels. These efforts are continuing and during the upcoming College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland Annual Scientific Congress in May an expert panel of speakers from the College of Anaesthesiologists and the Council will give guidance to doctors from Ukraine and others under International Protection on the process for applying for entry to the Medical Council Specialist Division of the Register.
Notwithstanding approaches in other countries, the Council, in order to maximise patient safety, is obliged to ensure that all doctors it registers meet the necessary standards to practice medicine here. The Council does offer guidance on alternative evidence for those unable to meet all the document requirements immediately. This proactive approach, including the provision of information and support through various stages of the application and examination process, underscores the Council's commitment to integrating Ukrainian medical professionals into the Irish healthcare system, supporting both the individuals affected and the broader community.
Since the activation of the EU Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55 EC) by the EU Council Decision EU 2022/382 on 4 March 2022, a total of 48 Ukrainian doctors seeking refuge in Ireland have submitted applications for registration through the Professional Registration Examination System (PRES) Route. Of these, one doctor has successfully passed PRES Level 3 and is now registered on the General Division, while the remaining applicants are at various stages of the application process. Thirteen doctors are preparing for the PRES Level 3 exam, with some having already passed PRES Level 2 or an accepted alternative exam, and one undergoing registration on the Supervised Division. Twenty-five doctors are preparing for the PRES Level 2 exam and they have selected from dates scheduled across 2024. An additional eight applications are currently under assessment for outstanding documents or information. I am also advised that thirteen dentists have gained full registration and a further 82 have been offered a period of adaptation which will assist them to be registered when completed.
