Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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754. To ask the Minister for Health if he will respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26149/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In Ireland the profession of Audiologist is currently regulated for the purposes of access to public sector employment only. The HSE sets the approved qualifications and standards for employment as an Audiologist in the publicly funded health sector. These can be found on the HSE website at - www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs/eligibility-criteria/audiologist.html.

There are many professions engaged in the public service who are not currently subject to regulation. In light of the various issues to be considered, and in line with ongoing work in the Department, the Health Research Board was requested to carry out research on behalf of the Department to assist in policy development in this area. The report, “National Approaches to Regulating Health and Social Care Professions”, examines the approaches to the regulation of health and social care professionals internationally.

My officials are in the process of drawing from the HRB’s report and other relevant sources to develop a framework to guide policy on the regulation of health and social care professionals into the future. This future policy framework will be informed by an evidence and risk-based approach to regulation in line with requirements set out in the EU Proportionality Test Directive, which was transposed into Irish law on 19 August 2022 (S.I. No. 413/2022).

The Directive requires that a proportionality assessment be carried out before the adoption of any new regulated profession. The intention of the Directive is to prevent disproportionate regulatory measures by introducing objective proportionality assessments and increasing stakeholder involvement.

There are no plans in place to progress regulation of individual professions until appropriate risk-assessment and evaluation tools are in place in compliance with best practice, international evidence, and the Proportionality Test Directive.

With regard to the broader question, the Department of Health continues to work on the Patient Safety (Licensing) Bill which will, for the first time, introduce a licensing requirement for all hospitals, public and private, and certain designated high-risk activities in the community. The general scheme of the Bill was approved by Government, underwent Pre-Legislative Scrutiny at the Oireachtas Joint Committee of Health and is currently with the Attorney General’s Office for drafting.

In the meantime, the Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act 2023 provides the legislative framework for the extension of the Health Information Quality Authority’s regulatory remit to private hospitals. The Patient Safety Act has amended the Health Act 2007, the legislation under which HIQA operates, to extend to private hospitals the powers and responsibilities HIQA currently exercises in relation to public hospitals. This will allow HIQA to set standards for the operation of private hospitals, to monitor compliance with them and to undertake inspections and investigations as required.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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755. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1340 of 21 March 2023, if any further progress has been made to address due back payments for retirees in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; and if he will seek an update on the matter. [26153/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is an administrative matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.