Maria Corrigan (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to raise this important matter. I thank the Minister of State for attending. This matter concerns the Institute of Clinical Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy, the ICHP. It requires to be registered as a designated professional body within the meaning of section 4 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. Under that Act it would require protection for the titles of hypnotherapy, hypno-psychotherapy, hypno-analyst and hypno-counsellor.

This matter raises the important subject of regulation. Great strides have been made in recent years with the introduction of the Act in 2005 to ensure professional registration of a number of social care and psychology bodies. In the areas of counselling, psychotherapy and hypnotherapy it is important to undertake whatever measure is necessary in this respect, primarily to afford protection for the public. It is important that it would not be possible for any person at will to hang up a sign and claim to be a psychotherapist. It is a title that merits protection. It is in the public interest that such protection is afforded. One of the benefits of the Act is that in addition to introducing regulation for the professional bodies, it also shines a spotlight on the need for continuous professional development and a commitment to keeping abreast with all the changes and developments in each of the areas that are protected.

The Minister of State is aware of the work the ICHP has undertaken in recent years to bring about a system of self-regulation. It has gone as far as it can by itself. It tries to collaborate with other professionals. It encourages its members to abide by the criteria for regulation within the organisation but it would like to take it one step further and formalise it by way of legislation. I would appreciate if the Minister of State could indicate whether there is to be a positive response to this.