I understand the Deputy is referring to members of the Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, IACP. The 13 professions which it is proposed to regulate under the proposed Health and Social Care Professionals Bill have been regulated on a long-standing basis within the public health service — national grading and career structures exist and baseline qualifications have been declared under section 18 of the Health Act 1970 in the majority of cases. This does not pertain in the case of counsellors and psychotherapists in general.
The Deputy may wish to note that under the proposed health and social care professionals bill, the Minister for Health and Children will be empowered to include additional professions into the regulatory system.