Recognition in Italy of the professional profile of graduate optometrists in line with EU standards

Question for written answer E-001710/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Carolina Morace (The Left)

In Italy, one can study Optics and Optometry at degree level, and under Law No 3 of 11 January 2018, graduates in Optics and Optometry have to register as health professionals.

The ESCO framework classifies optometrists as health professionals at European level, while Directive 2005/36/EC, as revised in 2013, promotes the mutual recognition of professional qualifications among Member States to facilitate professional mobility.

Besides this, the ET 2020 Strategy encourages cooperation among Member States to improve the quality of vocational education and training, including the objective of creating common skills and qualifications frameworks to facilitate the mobility and recognition of healthcare professionals, including optometrists.

In the light of the growing demand for eye care due to an ageing population and the increase in chronic vision-related conditions, it is vital to bolster the primary eye care sector by enabling qualified optometrists to enter this field, in line with the recommendations of the 2020 Osnabrück Declaration on durable and high-quality vocational education and training.

Can the Commission say what has been done to encourage the Italian Government to create a specific professional profile for graduate optometrists, along the same lines as for their graduate colleagues elsewhere in Europe?

Submitted: 13.9.2024