Vol. 523 No. 1
600 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will arrange to meet with the Irish Council for Psychotherapy concerning forthcoming legislation about statutory regulations for certain allied professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20117/00]
The current position in relation to statutory registration for allied health professionals is that discussions are ongoing with the professional bodies representing 13 professions with the aim of agreeing a system of registration by the end of this year. The Department's intention at the moment is to continue discussions with the professions, and in order to ensure that maximum progress is made, it is not proposed to expand this group.
However, under the proposed legislation there will be scope to expand the number of registered professions by means of a statutory instrument. It is envisaged that further groups could become registered professions by this means.
Officials of my Department have met with the representative body for psychotherapists and informed them of the position.
