Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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148. To ask the Minister for Health the accreditation system in place for the registration of occupational therapists; when same became operative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52625/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Occupational therapists are one of several professions regulated by Ireland’s multi-profession regulator, CORU. CORU was set up under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 and is made up of the Health and Social Care Professionals Council and Registration Boards for the professions named in the Act.

The Occupational Therapists Registration Board was established on 14 February 2013 and their register opened on 31 March 2015. The Board has responsibility for establishing and maintaining the register of members for that profession, approving and monitoring education and training programmes for entry to the register, establishing the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics and standards of performance to which occupational therapists must adhere and recognising qualifications gained outside the State. Registration is now mandatory for all practising occupational therapists in Ireland and the professional title of occupational therapist is protected under Irish law.