Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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828. To ask the Minister for Health when he will sign off on regulations to regulate the profession of psychotherapists and psychologists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38176/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I presume the Deputy is referring to the profession of psychotherapist and counsellor.

Psychotherapists and counsellors are not currently regulated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. However, the Act provides that the Minister for Health may, by regulation, designate a health and social care profession not already designated if he or she considers that it is appropriate and in the public interest to do so and if specified criteria have been met.

In accordance with the Act, the Health and Social Care Professionals Council has been consulted on the question of regulating counsellors and psychotherapists. Its detailed report on the matter is being examined carefully in my Department with a view to deciding the next steps before the end of the year. These steps will, I envisage, include a wider round of consultation involving the various professional bodies and other interested parties.

The Deputy may also wish to know that the profession of psychologist is already designated under the Act and that I hope to be in a position to establish the Psychologists Registration Board early in the new year.