Professional qualifications: Commission asks Ireland to comply with EU rules

This Directive facilitates the professional mobility and recognition of qualifications across the borders within the EU. These EU rules play an essential part in addressing the shortages of skilled labour across the EU. This is especially true for the healthcare sector which has been particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, by helping to better reallocate skilled professionals where needed.

According to the Commission, Ireland imposes unjustified restrictions on nurses and midwives from other EU Member States by excessively limiting the types of proof that these professionals are allowed to use to attest their language knowledge.

Ireland now has two months to respond to the arguments raised by the Commission, otherwise the Commission may decide to send a reasoned opinion to Ireland.