Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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347. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 415, 426 and 441 of 1 December 2015, if he will provide an update on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2971/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Physiotherapists Registration Board is currently preparing the necessary by-laws under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 to allow it to establish its register in the coming months. The title of physiotherapist will, as a consequence, will be protected under the Act for the exclusive use of the board's registrants when the register's 2-year transitional period ends in 2018.

In the rest of the English speaking world the titles of physical therapistand physiotherapistare interchangeable and their users are qualified physiotherapists. In Ireland, however, the title is also used by a number of practitioners who are not physiotherapists but who have been providing musculoskeletal therapies in the private sector for many years. Physiotherapists are trained to provide musculoskeletal, cardio/respiratory and neurological therapies, working in both the public and private sector.

Last year, I consulted with the Physiotherapists Registration Board and thereafter I wrote to a number of relevant organisations about the question of also protecting the title of physical therapist under the Act. In considering their views I endeavoured to take into account, appropriately and subject to ensuring public protection, the legitimate concerns of the current users of the title and the other parties that may be affected by my decisions in this matter. I have come to the conclusion that protecting the title of physical therapistunder the Act as a variant of the title of physiotherapistwould be the best way to eliminate the ongoing risk of title confusion and the consequent risks to public safety. I have also decided to allow particular existing users of the title physical therapistwho are not physiotherapists but who hold qualifications of a certain standard to continue to use the title.

New grand parenting provisions will allow such practitioners to apply, on a once-off basis and for a limited period, to register in the physiotherapists register. After this period only qualified physiotherapists will be permitted to register. The registration board’s code of professional conduct and ethics will oblige all registrants, including those registered under the new provisions, to act within the limits of their knowledge, skills, competence and experience. In other words, and to ensure public protection, those registered under these time limited special provisions will be required to confine their practise to musculoskeletal therapies.

My Department will now prepare the necessary legislation to give effect to my decisions which were communicated to the Physiotherapists Registration Board and other interested parties last week.