James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked, very reasonably, for an update. Two councils have been set up, namely, the social workers board and the radiographers board. I have just signed the regulations for speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and dieticians. There are now five councils. We are well advanced in the case of physiotherapy and hope to have the registration board established in January.

Deputy Dan Neville raised a serious issue. I share his concern about the lack of standards and the fact that people who have taken courses over six weekends are calling themselves counsellors in the same way as those who have completed three or four year university courses or postgraduate degrees in psychology. We have to address this issue, but I hope the committee will give me its forbearance because, as Deputy Dan Neville correctly pointed out, there was no agreement among the various counselling bodies on the issue. While they have now come together, they have as a consequence of speaking with one voice highlighted huge gaps in standards and we will have to do considerable work with HETAC to develop a shared standard. HETAC intends to provide us with a report on the matter in early or mid-2013 which will allow us to start immediately with the task of setting up a registration board for counsellors.

I do not underestimate or dispute anything Deputy Dan Neville has said. This is a serious issue at a time when mental health problems causing distress are rampant in this country. In the past fortnight I attended two funerals of two people, a pharmacist and a GP, who had taken their own lives. I am aware of others and also had the sad experience of attending the funerals of a friend who had taken his own life four years ago and his son who had done the same only a few months ago. This is an issue that requires significant attention and resources, but we have to ensure the resources provided give us the outcomes we need. Therefore, it is important that people who are either referred or present themselves to counsellors are dealt with by individuals who are suitably qualified. It is a well known fact that people who are not properly qualified can do terrible damage.

I hope the committee will understand that while I cannot accept the amendment, I am undertaking to progress the issue as quickly as possible. HETAC is working diligently on the issue and when we reach agreement on standards, we can proceed on the basis of a statutory instrument, with the establishment of a registration board. I hope to have this done not in another ten years but in the next 18 months to two years.