Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 319: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many practising chiropodists have no qualification other than postal courses; and if his attention has further been drawn to the urgency of the introduction of the health and social care professionals Bill to regulate this and other professions. [14297/04]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is the personal responsibility of each individual chiropodist in private practice who is providing services to members of the public to ensure that they are trained and qualified to the level required to work safely in their area of competence. A detailed assessment process, established by the Department of Health and Children, to assess chiropodists for eligibility to provide services in the public health service is being completed. The development and implementation of the process has been overseen by expert health professionals to ensure that a standard of competence consistent with the provision of safe service to the public is assured. I understand that detailed consideration was given, as part of the process of reviewing each application under the assessment process and making recommendations about which applicants should be approved, to the initial qualifications, further education undertaken, continuous professional development and practice profile in the private and public sectors.

The publication of the health and social care professionals Bill, which will establish a system of statutory registration for health and social care professionals, including chiropodists, is a priority for the Department of Health and Children. The drafting of the Bill is at an advanced stage. Under the legislative proposals, only those chiropodists who reach the required standard of competence laid down for the profession will be registered and legally entitled to practice in the public or private sectors.