Written answers

Thursday, 4 December 2014

Department of Health

Health and Social Care Professionals Registration Fee

Photo of Ciara ConwayCiara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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151. To ask the Minister for Health the progress being made on the intended regulation of clinical biochemists, dietitians, medical scientists, occupational therapists, orthoptists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, psychologists, radiographers, social care workers, social workers and speech and language therapists and the HETAC report on education standards in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46602/14]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Health and Social Care Professionals Council and the registration boards established under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 are responsible for protecting the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct and professional education, training and competence amongst the professions designated under the Act. The 12 professions designated under the Act are clinical biochemists, dietitians, medical scientists, occupational therapists, orthoptists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, psychologists, radiographers, social care workers, social workers and speech and language therapists.

The first registration board to be established, the Social Workers Registration Board, was established in August 2010, and the associated Social Workers Register opened for receipt and processing of applicants on 31st May 2011. Registration Boards subsequently established included those for radiographers, dietitians, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and physiotherapists. The Social Care Workers Registration Board was established on 1st December 2014 and I am currently in the process of considering a number of suitably qualified and experienced candidates for appointment to the new board. This brings to seven the number of registration boards established to date. I hope to establish the registration boards for the remaining designated professions in 2015.

An important element of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 is protection of the public. Provision is made under the Act for a "Fitness to Practice" regime to deal with complaints and disciplinary sanctions in relation to registrants. This provision of the Act, which is to be commenced from the end of this year, will allow concerned members of the public to make a complaint about a registrant. If upheld, disciplinary sanctions can be imposed, including preventing the registrant from practising their profession. The implementation and operation of a robust "Fitness to Practice" process will underpin and ensure adequate client safety.

I assume the question is referring to the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) (formerly HETAC) Awards Standards. The QQI Awards Standards determine in broad terms the standards of knowledge, skills and competence for the purposes of education and training awards at different academic levels. The various education and training programmes which seek professional approval by the relevant registration boards would be expected to meet the relevant QQI academic standards.

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