Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Nov 2001

Vol. 543 No. 3

Written Answers. - Psychiatric Services.

Richard Bruton

Question:

113 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is a licensing or certification procedure before persons can offer psychological therapy, which involves techniques of recovered memory; if his attention has been drawn to a British review body which has placed restrictions on the provision of such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27020/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

There is no specific licensing or certification procedure in place at the moment for persons offering psychological therapy. However, as is critical for any psychological technique, a practitioner must exercise his/her professional judgment when offering any particular therapy. My Department is currently preparing legislative proposals setting up a system of statutory registration for health and social care professionals. The primary purpose of this legislation will be to protect the public by ensuring that the professional providing the service is properly qualified and competent to practice in his or her profession.

Under the proposed system of statutory registration, there will be a registration board for each individual registered profession. Each registration board will be responsible for determining the criteria for registration, including approved qualifications, education, training and practical experience. Based on this criteria, each registration board will maintain a register of all persons deemed eligible to practise within each profession. In addition, each registration board will set the scope of and limits to the type of clinical or professional practice to be carried out by the profession. This will be done in consultation with the relevant professional body or bodies. This proposed system of statutory registration will apply, in the first instance, to a group of 14 professions, including psychologists and social workers. Under the proposed legislation, I will be empowered to extend the system of statutory registration to other health and social care professions, as appropriate.