Orthoptist

An orthoptist specialises in diagnosing and treating visual problems involving eye movement and alignment.

The Department of Health is the Competent Authority for the validation of qualifications for the purpose of employment in the publicly funded health sector (HSE or HSE funded service).

Orthoptist - Grade Code 3409.

Orthoptist - Senior(Grade Code 3417).

The regulatory body for Orthoptists in Ireland is CORU.

Application Process

The following documentation is required by the Department of Health in order to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your qualification:

1. A copy of your original diploma/degree and a transcript of all examination results showing subjects studied and grades obtained;

2. A certified statement from the relevant educational institute detailing the syllabus of the course of education and training which you undertook i.e. subjects taken in each year, subject content, number of hours of study in each subject, type of practice placements (i.e. location, duration, supervision etc.);

3. Documentation to indicate that your qualification entitles you to practice as an Orthoptics in the country where you qualified;

4. Details of your professional experience, if any, (i.e. name(s) and address(es) of employer(s), type of hospital or institution, employment commencement and cessation dates, title of post held, full-time status, practical experience in the profession);

5. Evidence of your professional experience (i.e. letters of confirmation from your employer(s), references etc.);

6. Documentary proof of citizenship (i.e. birth certificate and passport details).

All documentation must be notarised as true copies of the originals.

Temporary Registration

When a service provider proposes to move from another Member State to Ireland in order to provide services, he must, in advance, inform the competent authority in Ireland in writing using the standard declaration form.

The declaration form may be submitted to the relevant competent authority by any means and must be accompanied by the following documents:

a) Proof of the nationality of the service provider;

b) An attestation the competent authority in the member state of establishment certifying that the holder is legally established in that Member State for the purpose of pursuing the activities concerned and that he is not prohibited from practising, even temporarily, at the moment of delivering the attestation;

c) Evidence of professional qualifications;

d) When the profession is not regulated in the Member State of establishment, any means of proof that the service provider has pursued the activity concerned for at least two years during the previous ten years; and

e) Details of any insurance cover or other means of personal or collective protection with regard to professional liability.

The service provider must await communication from the Irish competent authority but should be able to provide the service within one month of receipt by the Irish competent authority of the declaration and accompanying documents.

Details on the temporary provision of services in Ireland are available here.

Contact Details

Department of Health - Validation Unit

Block 1, Miesian Plaza, 50-58 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2

Phone: +353 1 635 3009

Email: validation_unit@health.gov.ie  

Right of Appeal

Regulation 83 of S.I. No. 8 of 2017 states that an applicant may appeal to the High Court any decision of a competent authority or any failure of a competent authority to make a decision, in relation to the application by him/her. Such an appeal shall be brought within 42 days either of the date upon which the decision concerned is communicated to the applicant concerned, or in the case of failure to make a decision within 42 days of the expiration of the periods within which the decision or acknowledgement should have been made.

The above is for general information purposes only. All further queries regarding this information should be directed to the Department of Health, Validation Unit.