Joe Higgins
Question:508 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the legislative priorities of his Department for the current session of Dáil Éireann. [11482/03]
Written Answers. - Legislative Programme.
The following are the legislative priorities of my Department for the current session of Dáil Éireann. Second Stage of the Opticians (Amendment) Bill 2002 [Seanad] is due to be taken in the Dáil in May. This Bill has already completed all Stages in Seanad Éireann.
The purpose of the Health and Social Care Professionals Bill is to provide for the statutory registration of 14 health and social care professionals. The Bill is currently being drafted by parliamentary counsel and I hope to have it published before the summer recess.
With regard to the proposed draft regulations on risk equalisation, a draft risk equalisation scheme has been prepared to be submitted for approval by each House of the Oireachtas at an early date. The timetable for bringing the draft scheme to the Houses of the Oireachtas will be determined in the light of the outcome of the latest deliberations at EU level, which are due to conclude shortly.