Ukraine-trained health workers
George Lawlor highlights highly qualified Ukrainian health professionals working in low-skill jobs and asks how they can get into the Irish workforce. The Health Minister says the registration bodies are making progress, especially NMBI and CORU, but the Medical Council remains the main concern.
I thank the Taoiseach. Further engagement would be warranted there. I call Deputy George Lawlor.
Comment on this
I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I recently met a Ukrainian woman who qualified as a GP in Kyiv. She practised for seven years as a GP and six as an intern. She is now working as a healthcare assistant and doing a very fine job in a primary care centre in Wexford. Last week, I met a man working with a drain clearing company in Wexford. He fled the conflict in Ukraine, where, having qualified and worked as a surgeon, he was moving to specialise in neurosurgery. They belong to a WhatsApp group with some 315 other highly skilled healthcare professionals from Ukraine. Their route to working in their discipline in Ireland is long and cumbersome and we employ highly skilled healthcare workers from right across the globe. Is there any way we can expedite the entry of Ukrainian healthcare professionals who are highly-skilled into our health service, given that they are here through no fault of their own but are eager-----
Comment on this
-----and keen to take part in our workforce?
Comment on this
We are very keen for them to work here. There are three aspects to that. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, NMBI, has done good work on improving its registration times and I am confident about that side of things. CORU, for the health and social care professionals more generally, has made very significant progress, although the Taoiseach and I are discussing how we can bring that further in respect of physiotherapists and a range of professions in that space. That is moving on.
The aspect where I have concern is the Medical Council. The Deputy mentioned a GP and a surgeon. I have given a very clear direction to the Medical Council to improve its processes. It is due to report back to me in early September and I will be keeping the Taoiseach and the Cabinet committee updated on this. It is very clear that the Medical Council has received very significant additional investment and it is now up to it from a public safety perspective to have as many doctors registered as quickly as can be.