Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

284. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a regulatory regime for chiropractors (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8089/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There are no plans at present to regulate chiropractors under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. Section 4 of the Act provides that the Minister for Health may, following a consultation process and with the approval of the Houses of the Oireachtas, make regulations designating a health or social care profession not already designated if the Minister considers it in the public interest to do so.

It is envisaged that the registration boards of all of the existing designated professions will be established by the end of 2018. Following my recent decision to designate the professions of counsellor and psychotherapist, CORU soon will be responsible for the regulation of 16 health and social care professions.

Later this year I intend to ask CORU to undertake a risk assessment, in terms of public protection, of the principal health and social care professions seeking designation under the Act and to make recommendations concerning options for their possible future regulation. The question of designating other professions, including the profession of chiropractor, will be considered as part of that process.