WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3824/97 by Roberto MEZZAROMA to the Commission. Situation of podiatry in Europe
22. 6. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 196/21 This code provides for a definition of tax measures which are potentially harmful and a review process to determine which of such measures are actually harmful. Such measures are to be rolled back, or, in the case of new measures, not to be introduced. The Resolution also states that the Council may decide to publish the reports produced by this review process. (1) COM(97) 564. (98/C 196/30) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3824/97 by Roberto Mezzaroma (UPE) to the Commission (28 November 1997) Subject: Situation of podiatry in Europe What is the situation in the EU with regard to the recognition of qualifications and the freedom of movement of non-medical health professionals, with particular reference to: 1. the situation of podiatry in Europe, 2. existing Community directives in the field of podiatry or non-medical health professions, 3. the possibility of EU funding for the free exchange of university and college students, 4. the possibility of EU funding for refresher courses for non-medical health professionals. Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (2 February 1998) According to the information available to the Commission, chiropody (pediatry) is a regulated profession in 1. all the Member States, except Belgium and Greece. 2. Chiropody and the non-medical health professions are governed, in the case of regulated professions, by Council Directive 89/48/EEC of 21 December 1988 on a general system for the recognition of higher-education diplomas awarded on completion of professional education and training of at least three yearsí duration (1) or by Council Directive 92/51/EEC of 18 June 1992 on a second general system for the recognition of professional education and training to supplement Directive 89/48/EEC (2). The Community provides financial assistance for exchanges of university students under the Socrates pro- 3. gramme (Chapter I: Higher education (Erasmus)) in all higher-education disciplines. The national authorities decide which higher-education establishments are eligible to participate in the programme. Students of chiropody at eligible establishments that have concluded an áinstitutional contractí with the Commission may obtain a mobility grant to cover part of their travel expenses and differences in living costs. Specific training measures for members of the non-medical health professions can be funded under the 4. multi-purpose Leonardo da Vinci programme, subject, however, to two main conditions: such measures must be innovative and must be transnational in character (involving at least three Member States in most cases). (1) OJ L 19, 24. 1. 1989. (2) OJ L 209, 24. 7. 1992