Current System
Treaty establishing the European Community establishes fundamental rights for EU citizens in regard to freedom of movement of workers, goods and services, and right of establishment (of a business or employment). The EU Directives on recognition of qualifications are designed to give effect to these rights.
There are two main types of directive
(a) Sectoral directives
Under this system, the qualifications accepted for practice in each Member State are set out in the Directive, and each Member State must accept as valid a qualification from another member state which is listed.
(b) General systems directives
(EU Directirves 89/48 92/51 99/42 and 2001/19)
These Directives provide that a Member State must be seen to treat EU citizens' qualifications on the same basis as its own nationals, while at the same time recognising the right of Member States to determine the education and training and experience requirements for regulated professions. They provide in principle for the mutual recognition of professional qualifications in the host State for holders of qualifications which are recognised for a regulated profession in another Member State, if the content and duration of the qualification is similar to that required in the host Member State. Where a qualification is one level below that required in the host Member State and where there is a substantial and importance difference in content between the qualifications or experience required in the host Member State and that held by the applicant, recognition must be allowed, but there is provision for the application of a compensatory measure (such as a period of adaptation under supervision, or an aptitude test). However in determining whether compensatory measures apply, a Member State must take account in full, of the content of training and experience in the home Member State, and in any other State, including a third country, where the applicant has been before being recognised in an EU Member State. Decisions can be subject to legal appeal.
List of the professions in Ireland which are regulated under the General System
Under this system you must apply to the designated competent authority for recognition of your qualification. The Designated Competent Authority will assess your qualifications and experience and determine whether you meet the requirements for recognition, or where there is a substantial difference, the measures you can take to meet the shortfall.
Each Member State is required to designate a person responsible for co-ordination of the actions under the Directive. The D/Education and Science has that responsibility in Ireland. The Department represents Ireland on an EU Council Working Group on Establishment and Services (Diplomas).
European Union Website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market/qualifications/general-system_en.htm#legislation
User guide http://europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market/qualifications/docs/guide/guide_en.pdf
Code of Conduct http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/mrpq_code_of_conduct.pdf
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