Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Mar 2001

Vol. 531 No. 5

Written Answers. - Counsellors and Therapists Registration.

Dan Neville

Question:

81 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the Irish Association for Counselling and Therapy was excluded from the preliminary discussions on statutory registration of counsellors and therapists; his views on whether the lack of a counselling voice in the process of statutory registration means that there is a significant academic and experiential void in the process; and if he will facilitate the Irish Association of Counselling and Therapy with a place within the process to offer its experience, expertise and organisational back-up to the process. [6329/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

In resuming discussion on statutory registration last year, it was agreed that only those professions which had been involved in the earlier initiative on registration would be invited to participate. However I am committed to expanding the number of professions to which registration will apply. Under the proposed legislation, this will be achieved by means of ministerial order.