David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I support the thrust of the Bill. As previous Senators have said, there are a number of technical concerns that we have and that various organisations have raised with us. I will raise them again and will try to correct some of them on Committee Stage. This is largely a technical Bill, but it contains some important elements that need to be examined as they will have a significant effect on certain healthcare practitioners and professions as well as on the public at large. The Bill proposes to subsume the Opticians Board into the Health and Social Care Professionals Council, CORU, and to divide the profession of radiographer into two professions of radiographers and radiation therapists.

It also seeks to ensure contributions are payable by recipients of residential support services who are maintained by, or on behalf of, the HSE.

The Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians Ireland has expressed concern about section 34 of the Bill, which proposes to insert new sections 81A and 81B into the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. These sections provide that spectacles may not be dispensed or sold by someone other than "a registered medical practitioner or a registrant of the designated profession of optometrist or dispensing optician". I might ask whether this Bill aims to change the current practice with regard to the sale of spectacles.

Sinn Féin has also received correspondence from the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, which has requested that the title of "physical therapist" be included in this legislation. The World Confederation for Physical Therapy has suggested that the titles of "physiotherapist" and "physical therapist" can be used interchangeably and are the sole preserve of people who have qualifications approved by the national professional bodies which are members of the confederation. This is not the case in Ireland, however. The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists has been recognised by the World Confederation for Physical Therapy as the sole authoritative body for physical therapy in Ireland. The title of "physiotherapist" is currently protected under Irish law. This is not the case with the title of "physical therapist", however. This situation does not exist in the other 100 members of the global professional body. It could lead to people confusing the two roles in Ireland, and thereby losing confidence if one of the roles does not meet their expectations. Indeed, evidence received by the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, which has been provided, suggests that the public is unaware of the differing roles of physiotherapists and physical therapists in Ireland.

Part 2 of this Bill divides the profession of radiographer into two separate professions of radiographer and radiation therapist. This issue has already been raised. As the two roles have somewhat specific focuses, I welcome the distinction that is being drawn. I hope it will further the development of these roles and increase public confidence in them.

The Health and Social Care Professionals Council is to be given new investigative powers, similar to those of the Medical Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. While we can trust the vast majority of those working under this council, we must also be able to reassure the public that rogue practitioners will not be tolerated. Any reduction in the contribution amounts that cover essential daily living costs for those maintained by the HSE, but not accommodated by or on behalf of HSE, would be of concern.

As I said at the outset, we support the Bill and the principal thrust of it. While it focuses on the necessary regulation of health care professionals, unfortunately there is a great lack of those practitioners. I refer particularly to occupational therapists, physiotherapists, physical therapists, social care workers and speech and language therapists. It is unfortunate that this was not addressed in last month's budget. My party's alternative budget suggested that extra funding of €31.3 million should be provided for community physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists. Despite this and other elements of the Bill, we will be supporting it. I look forward to hearing the Minister of State's response to the concerns that have been raised by the various organisations that have been in contact with us all.