David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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175. To ask the Minister for Health if she is aware that a company (details supplied) is claiming that they are CORU compliant; and whether such compliance exists. [26247/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, CORU is Ireland’s multi-profession regulator for health and social care. Its primary role is to protect the public by regulating professions designated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended). This includes setting the standards required for registration and maintaining professional registers for those who meet these standards.

To date, 17 health and social care professions have been designated for regulation by CORU. Registers are currently open for 12 of these professions, with work ongoing to open registers for the remaining five: Psychologists, Counsellors and Psychotherapists, Clinical Biochemists, and Orthoptists.

CORU does not have the authority to deem a service provider ‘compliant’. A professional is either registered with the relevant board or is not. While CORU can take enforcement action against the misuse of protected titles, this power only comes into effect two years after a register is opened and the transitional period for applications by existing practitioners has closed.

The register for psychologists, overseen by the Psychologists Registration Board (PSRB), has not yet opened. Therefore, it is inaccurate for any advertisement to suggest CORU compliance in this context, as this implies a statutory decision on an individual’s registration which has not occurred. This issue has been referred to CORUs Enforcement Unit, who will contact this service provider directly to clarify the Board’s statutory role and to ensure advertising materials reflect the current regulatory status.