Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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178. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the title of physical therapist (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21423/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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By end 2018, the title of "physiotherapist" is due to be protected, under the provisions of Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, for the exclusive use of registrants of the physiotherapists register. In addition, and in order to eliminate an ongoing risk of title confusion and consequent risks to public safety, I intend to make regulations under the Act to prescribe the title of physical therapist as a variant of the title of physiotherapist thereby protecting both titles.

I also intend to amend the Act to facilitate existing users of the title of physical therapist who are not qualified physiotherapists but who are graduates of the Institute of Physical Therapy and Applied Science, Dublin, or who hold equivalent qualifications, to continue to use the title. New and separate grand parenting provisions will be introduced to permit such practitioners to register, on a once-off basis and for a limited period, in the physiotherapists register.

My Department is preparing the necessary legislation to give effect to the detail of these decisions which have been communicated to the Physiotherapists Registration Board and other interested parties.