Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House and add my support to the Bill. I welcome the Minister's comments to the effect that his priority is to proceed with the establishment of the registration boards for the professions designated under the 2005 legislation. I will reiterate Senator Burke's comments, in that this work must be done in a timely and efficient manner. I look forward to it.

In particular, I welcome the Minister's statement that he has started taking the steps necessary to include counselling and psychotherapy among the professions to be recognised.

It is alarming as we have all heard of cases where people can put a plaque on the door and call themselves a counsellor or psychotherapist and provide counselling in areas like suicide or eating disorders, which are very serious complaints that require proper and effective training. I welcome this change, which is vital, and I urge the Minister to hurry it through as quickly as possible.

Another point related to qualifications. I welcome that freedom will be given for people to have qualifications recognised within the EU. What about qualifications from America or Canada? In the past year I have heard the case of a radiographer who has tried to take up a position having been sought for the job. He had to gain the appropriate qualifications but was left for nine or ten months, which is a major delay in looking at his qualifications. I understand there was a problem with the registration board and waiting for it to meet so as to carry out the official process. If somebody is to relocate or return to this country, there should be procedures where registration can occur in a timely manner.

I add my support to the Minister and particularly to his words today indicating that steps will be put in place for counselling and psychotherapy processes. It is vital that they are included.