Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 9 September 2024
1746. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health to outline the restrictions that can prevent graduates of dentistry at Queen’s University Belfast from working in Ireland; the measures that are being taken to address any such instances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34599/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1759. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made regarding the continuation of an agreement whereby dentists who graduate from the UK can apply for registration here through automatic recognition, given that the current arrangement ends with the inclusion of graduates who have completed their qualification before 31 December 2024; if he is aware that the uncertainty for 2025 graduates can have implications for practices that are looking for qualified practitioners to take them over; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34725/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1746 and 1759 together.
The Dentists Act 1985 establishes the Dental Council as the regulator of the dental profession in Ireland. As such, issues concerning the registration of Dentists are a matter for the Dental Council to consider. Full registration as a Dentist with the Dental Council of Ireland can be applied for by 5 categories of applicant:
• Graduates in dentistry from a university in Ireland or a graduate with a qualification recognised under the Dental Council’s mutual recognition agreements with Canada and New Zealand.
• Graduates with a scheduled dental degree/diploma from within the European Union (EU), and certification from their Competent Authority confirming compliance with the minimum conditions set out in the Professional Qualifications Directive.
• Graduates with a dental degree/diploma from within the EU, but who are not entitled to automatic recognition, and may be entitled to assessment as set out in the Professional Qualifications Directive.
• Graduates who obtained their dental degree/diploma outside of the EU, but who have gained recognition of their qualification, in accordance with Article 2(2) of the directive, in a member state and in addition have practiced the profession in that member state for 3 years in the proceeding 5 years, in accordance with Article 3(3) of the directive, and may therefore be entitled to assessment as set out in the Professional Qualifications Directive (Directive 2005/36/EC).
• Graduates with a dental degree/diploma who do not fall into the above categories must pass the Dental Council Examination for Dentists in order to apply for full registration.
As a result of the withdrawal of Britain from the EU, since the 31st of December 2020 qualifications obtained from the United Kingdom (UK) by Irish and other European Union (EU) nationals wishing to register in Ireland are third-country qualifications under Directive 2005/36/EC (Professional Qualifications Directive). Applicants must therefore obtain initial recognition in Ireland according to national rules and procedures.
A temporary rolling interim arrangement for those that obtained their qualification in the UK was put in place by agreement between the UK and Ireland whereby the Dental Council allowed these registration applicants to apply through a similar process provided for graduates with a degree obtained in the EU. As of January 2024, the Dental Council has advised that this arrangement will cease to apply for those who did not obtain their qualification entirely in the UK before 31st of December 2024, and any further developments in relation to this agreement will be published on their website.
