Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to discuss the "RTÉ Investigates" programme broadcast last night. It was distressing for anyone who has put trust in a psychologist. Psychology, whether it is in the private sector or the public sector, is not regulated and that is leading to a violation of sensitive personal information and circumstances. The programme rightfully depicted the impact this has on the families of children who are desperate for assessments of need.They are paying for assessments with their own money. They are vulnerable to rogue operators. They are languishing in a system that is not working for them and are then being taken advantage of because the protections of regulation are not there.

Anybody can set themselves up as a psychologist and start up shop. CORU and the Minister have agreed to a dual-phase approach. They are doing this through the Psychologists Registration Board and have worked on it since 2017. They have agreed priority will be given to certain specialisms within psychology and that, over time, the title of psychology will be protected. That is not enough and is not happening fast enough.

We need to protect all people from the open field that psychology is. We will have gaps if we start with specialism. We need a timeline to deliver that. I pay tribute to the psychologists who are qualified to work and have gone through a rigorous training system to be verified and qualified. They have a tough job as it is. I also pay tribute to the Psychological Society of Ireland and AsIAm, which are picking up the pieces. We need a register to know people's qualifications and protect the title.