Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased the detailed report is now with the Department. Hopefully, steps will be taken to progress matters as it is now 14 months since the previous Minister asked that this be done. There are professional bodies which do very good work on the requirements for entry on their registers, but these are not the problem. The problem is those people who practice without any training or supervision by a professional body. We appreciate the work done by the professional bodies to ensure there is a level of competence among their members, but these are not the issue. The problem is those people who are not members of any association and who are not subject to any regulation. As we know from the NGOs in the area, they can do serious damage to people who are suicidal, have eating disorders or many other psychiatric issues which would benefit greatly from professional psychotherapy and counselling. We look forward to information in the coming weeks on the report of CORU on the registration of psychotherapists and counsellors under the 2005 Act.

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