Written answers

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Department of Health

Health Services Staff

Photo of Paul DonnellyPaul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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1493. To ask the Minister for Health the necessary steps for an association (details supplied) to take in order to establish creative arts therapists as designated professionals in the health sector. [14406/21]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists are seeking designation for regulation under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. My officials have corresponded with them on the matter on a number of occasions.

There are 17 health and social care professions designated for regulation by CORU under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act. Currently there are registers open for 10 professions.

As you are aware, creative art therapists are not designated for regulation under the 2005 Act. Section 4 of the Act does, however, provide that, following a consultation process and with the approval of the Houses of the Oireachtas, the Minister can make regulations designating a health or social care profession not already designated.

The issue of health and social care professions seeking regulation is a complex one. Statutory regulation is primarily utilised in order to mitigate the risk posed to the public by the practice of a health or social care profession. Accordingly, my Department has instructed the Health Research Board to carry out research on its behalf which will assist and inform the question of risk assessment in the context of professional regulation.

The Health Research Board commenced their work in October 2020. This research will inform the policy decisions to be taken on the next phase of professions to be regulated, including the degree of regulatory force to be applied and the options for same.

In the meantime, CORU continues the complex work of preparing for regulation under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 a number of professions already designated for regulation.

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