Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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454. To ask the Minister for Health if he has responded to CORU on the first part in the two-part consultation process, which is required under section 4(2) of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, regarding the regulation of psychotherapists and counsellors. [42855/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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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 in the coming months. These steps will, I envisage, include a wider round of consultation involving the various professional bodies involved and other interested parties.