Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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1693. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2896 of 29 July 2025, to provide an update on the development of the framework to guide policy on the regulation of health and social care professionals into the future; the timeline she is working towards in completing this work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58078/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, work is ongoing in the Department of Health to develop a framework to guide policy on the regulation of health and social care professionals into the future.

The 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.

This is an important piece of work which requires research, careful consideration, and significant engagement with relevant stakeholders. The issues to be considered regarding the proportionate degree of regulatory force required to protect the public are complex.

Once the risk-based assessment framework is in place, professions will be assessed. Work to develop the framework and to assess professions is likely to take a number of years.

My officials plan to engage with relevant stakeholders regarding the development of the framework in the coming months.