Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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2058.To ask the Minister for Health for an update on the designation of the professional title of counsellor; to report on his engagement with CORU on same; his views on the prevalence of rogue crisis pregnancy agencies operating here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31275/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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CORU is Ireland’s multi-profession health and social care regulator. CORU’s role is to protect the public by regulating the health and social care professions designated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended), including setting the standards that health and social care professionals must meet to be eligible for registration and maintaining registers of persons who meet those standards.

CORU’s regulatory model is based on protection of title; once a profession is regulated it becomes a criminal offence to use a professional title if a person is not a CORU registrant.

Each profession has its own independent registration board which is provided with the statutory powers to implement regulation for that profession. Registration boards are responsible for establishing a register, approving and monitoring education and training programmes, and setting standards.

The Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board was established in 2019, tasked with establishing regulation for the two professions of “counsellor” and “psychotherapist”.

Since its establishment the registration board has carried out extensive work to advance the introduction of regulation for both professions. Most recently a public consultation was held on the Standards of Proficiency and Criteria for Education and Training Programmes for both professions. This was open for twelve-weeks from September until December 2023.

There was an extremely high level of engagement with this consultation process. 689 responses were received.

The consultation submissions highlighted that there remains significant disagreement within and between the professions, that they are distinct and separate and there are diverse opinions as to the competences required for entry to the professions required for safe practice.

In this context, it's crucial to carefully consider the risks to the public. The criteria for education and training programmes, especially regarding practice placements, must balance protecting vulnerable service users with ensuring that students are supported in becoming proficient, independent and safe practitioners through completing their training.

Owing to the significant amount of work to establish and implement the standards required for public protection, it is not possible at this time to confirm the timelines for registers opening for the professions of counsellor and psychotherapist.

The board is carefully considering the submissions to its public consultation as it works to set the threshold standards required for public protection and following this extensive review activity, the board will communicate the next steps in the process towards introducing statutory regulation for counsellors and psychotherapists.

Specifically in relation to termination of pregnancy services, the HSE recommend that people should contact My Options which is the official HSE service if they need information or support in the event of an unplanned pregnancy, or if they need post-abortion supports.

My Options is a free-phone helpline that provides free, non-judgemental information and support to anyone in Ireland experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, including information about how to access abortion services in Ireland. Qualified and trained counsellors are also available to provide free counselling to anyone in Ireland who is considering an abortion, or who has had an abortion regardless of where or when the abortion occurred.

The HSE’s website advises service users that “You should only visit a HSE-funded unplanned pregnancy counselling service. Some services offering counselling may try to influence your decision. If you suspect the service has a hidden agenda, leave the session immediately.”