Maria Corrigan (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving me the opportunity to raise this important matter and the Minister of State for her attendance in the Chamber.

I speak about the regulation of the health and social care worker professions, as provided for in the Health and Social Care Professionals Act. While I welcome this important legislation, I acknowledge its implementation with regard to the 12 designated professions has taken a little longer than expected. The legislation is essential to ensure the highest standards of professionalism and competence, thereby ensuring consumer protection. The professions originally identified for regulation are ones to which highly vulnerable and needy people often turn for assistance. Consequently, the legislation is essential to provide for their safety.

I ask the Minister of State to provide an update on the current position. In that context and on foot of previous queries, I am aware that there are other areas in need of similar regulation. I am delighted that the Irish Institute of Clinical Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy has made an application seeking inclusion, although I note that its application cannot be considered until the 12 designated professions have been dealt with. Perhaps the Minister of State will be in a position to indicate a timeframe for the consideration of the institute's application because, in common with other professions, it has not gone as far down the road towards ensuring competence and consumer protection as some of the designated professions. However, its keenness to seek this for its profession, its wish to put in place whatever is required to ensure regulation and its decision to go down the road of self-regulation in the interim are to be welcomed.