Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 7 September 2018
588. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to designate, define and regulate formally the title of assistant psychologists in a similar manner to physiotherapists, counsellors and psychotherapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35501/18]
View answerThe Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 currently provides for the statutory regulation of sixteen designated health and social care professions. Regulation under the Act is primarily by way of the statutory protection of professional titles by confining their use solely to persons granted registration. The structure of the system of statutory regulation comprises registration boards, a committee structure to deal with disciplinary matters, and a Health and Social Care Professionals Council with overall responsibility for the regulatory system.
These bodies are collectively known as CORU and are responsible for protecting the public by regulating health and social care professionals in Ireland. CORU is also charged with the promotion of high standards of professional conduct, professional education, training and competence among the registrants
The grade of Assistant Psychologist is not an established grade in the Irish healthcare system. This grade has been introduced in the HSE on a two-year pilot basis only. Decisions in relation to the future of the grade will be made on completion of the pilot. Therefore, there are no plans at present to regulate the title of Assistant Psychologist.
