Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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708. To ask the Minister for Health when he proposes to bring forward primary legislation to provide a restructuring of the way in which the designated professions as covered by the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 will be registered and regulated to provide a more cost effective operating system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49477/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The drafting of legislation to amend the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 is at an early stage and ongoing consultation with Parliamentary Counsel is underway. The proposed amendments are to aid the implementation of the decision, made in accordance with the Government's programme of rationalisation of State agencies, to merge the Opticians Board with the Health and Social Care Professionals Council, by regulating the professions of optometrist and dispensing optician under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. The two professions are currently regulated under the Opticians Act 1956.

In addition, amendments to the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 are proposed to enhance efficiency and cost effectiveness, while continuing to protect the public, and to update the Act in the interest of standardising the provisions of legislation governing health regulators. While these amendments include provision for the rationalisation of registration boards in certain circumstances, it is anticipated that comprehensive restructuring of the Council's regulatory framework will not be undertaken until such time as the registration boards have completed first phase establishment and registration.

It is hoped that the amending legislation will be published in 2014.