Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1167. To ask the Minister for Health if she will consider the introduction of a regulatory framework for the currently unregulated role of physician assistants, enabling this role to be formally integrated into the healthcare system at a time when skilled staff are required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24252/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Regarding a regulatory framework for Physician Assistant, a number of representative bodies for unregulated professions have approached the Department seeking to be regulated. It is important in this context to point out the issues to be considered regarding the proportionate degree of regulatory force required to protect the public are complex.

In light of this, and in line with ongoing work in the Department of Health, 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 and is publicly available on the Department’s website (www.gov.ie/en/publication/ea62b-national-approaches-to-regulating-health-and-social-care-professions/).

My officials are in the process of drawing from this 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 framework will also 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). Further information on the Proportionality Test Directive can be found here: .

Appropriate risk-assessment and evaluation tools need to be in place in compliance with best practice, international evidence, and the Proportionality Test Directive before progressing regulation of individual professions.

It should be noted that while statutory regulation forms a part of a system of assurance that the Department utilises to mitigate risk posed to the public by the practise of health and social care professions, many professions employed in the health service, including in the HSE and the publicly funded sector, are not subject to statutory regulation.

As you will be aware, the 2025 HSE National Service Plan committed to an independent expert to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the physician assistant role internationally and make recommendations for standardisation, scope of practice, and appropriate deployment in Ireland. The Independent Reviewer will look at the role of the Physician Associate/Assistant and make recommendations regarding the governance of the role, scope of practice, and appropriate deployment in Ireland.

The review will consider the benefits and value in the HSE Healthcare system of the role as well as potential risks. The reviewer will give due cognisance to the matters raised and lessons learned in other jurisdictions where this role was introduced.

Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1168. To ask the Minister for Health if she will consider lifting the recruitment embargo to allow for the employment of physician assistants already in training or in clinical placements in hospitals here, at a time when skilled healthcare staff are required to be retained in the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24253/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The 2025 HSE National Service Plan committed to an independent expert to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the Physician Assistant role internationally and make recommendations for standardisation, scope of practice, and appropriate deployment in Ireland.

The review will consider the benefits and value in the HSE Healthcare system of the role as well as potential risks. The reviewer will give due cognisance to the matters raised and lessons learned in other jurisdictions where this role was introduced.

HSE has paused the recruitment of Physician Assistants. As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible. My officials and I continue to engage with colleagues in the HSE in relation to the Physician Assistant role in Ireland.