Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill as it will bring changes to health professions. If we are to improve the health system changes are necessary. This is a technical Bill with 44 sections and some primary objectives. First, the Opticians Board will be subsumed into the Health and Social Care Professionals Council. Second, the Bill will make amendments to the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 to ensure consistency with legislation governing other health regulators. The Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 currently provides regulations for 12 professions, including clinical bio-chemists, dieticians, medical scientists, occupational therapists, orthopaedic physiotherapists, podiatrists, psychologists, radiographers and other social care workers, such as speech and language therapists. CORU now regulates and oversees all of these professions and upholds high standards in professional education, training and competence. All of these professions are phasing in registration - social workers are now obliged to be registered and radiographers will have to be registered by October. Speech and language therapists, dieticians and occupational therapists will be registered by the end of the year. All registers will be complete by the end of 2016.

The Bill refers the meaning of the term "health and social care profession" and it is defined as "any profession in which a person exercises skill or judgment relating to any of the following health or social care activities". It goes on to refer to activities such as the preservation or improvement of the health and well-being of others, the diagnosis, treatment or care of those injured, sick, disabled or infirm and the resolution through guidance counselling or otherwise of personal, social or psychological problems. It also refers to the care of those in need of protection, guidance and support.

The people to whom this Bill applies are in caring professions that form a crucial element in the introduction of the fitness to practice regime for health and social care workers. Part 6 of the Bill will allow complaints to be made about registrants. Another objective of the Bill is amending the Health Act 1970 to ensure that statutory contributions are payable by recipients of residential support services who are maintained, though not directly accommodated, by or on behalf of the Health Service Executive. The aim is to modernise the contributions regime in residential settings to reflect current models of residential care, particularly as it pertains to mental health, the disabled and older people. Accommodation needs must be met by agencies of the State, such as local authorities.

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The fair deal scheme is raised with me on a regular basis. When a family applies for the scheme, it is an anxious time with regard to a mother, father, aunt or uncle. Will the Minister of State examine the delay in processing fair deal scheme applications? Is there a better or more simple system which would help the applicants and their families? It would be very welcome if the Minister of State examined this area. When I put people in contact with the local HSE office in Wexford it is very helpful, but it can be an anxious time for families as they wait for an application to be processed. Part of the Bill deals with this issue.

It is vital that the people of all counties, including my home county of Wexford, are legally protected with regard to health and social care professionals. The Bill provides for this and I commend the outgoing Opticians Board, which has existed for more than 60 years, on protecting the interests of the public. I also commend the work of CORU. Since it came into existence it has played a very important role in the oversight of professional qualifications in extremely sensitive areas such as social work.

I welcome the news from the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, that the registration of professions such as occupational therapy, podiatry and speech and language therapy will be included by the end of 2016. These are three professional areas in which I have seen a shortfall in my county, and I do not speak just for Wexford. Parents want a service to be available for their children. The HSE, the Department of Health and the Minister of State are well aware of the financial strains which exist. If one compares Wexford to Kerry, Tipperary or Sligo, one sees it is lagging behind with regard to speech and language therapy services. The earlier one treats a child, the better the diagnosis will be and he or she will be able to receive therapy and treatment. A large number of families in Wexford are being forced to obtain services privately because they want the best for their sons or daughters. They are unable to afford this private service and are straining other areas of their household budgets, and we know the financial strains some families face. Will the Minister of State examine County Wexford and ensure an equal service is available throughout the country and that everyone is treated equally?

I welcome the Bill and I believe that change is good. Further improvements can be made after the Bill has gone through the House when the Minister examines regulation and professionalising other areas. I am not sure what the financial saving will be but I have no doubt the Bill contains a financial saving.

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