Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State outlined that a public consultation had been held in 2020 and that it had been difficult to find consensus on a common education pathway and standards for entry into the profession. What I and many others want to know is why it has taken so long to hold that consultation. CORU, as he noted, was set up in 2005 and it has been almost six years since the Psychologists Registration Board was established. Why is the consultation taking place only now?

The Psychological Society of Ireland, PSI, also has concerns about some of the proposals and has stated it is imperative the title of psychologist become a legally protected title without further delay. It does not want clinical psychologists, for example, taking precedence over other specialisms such as child psychologists, because it believes that also would be open to abuse. Has the Minister for Health or CORU consulted the PSI on this issue?

Can I take it that the Minister and CORU will soon meet to discuss the matter? It has to happen soon because the delay in regulating the psychology profession is putting children at risk. It is harming them and leaving many behind.

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