Vol. 407 No. 2
78 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the current position regarding full implementation of a charter for physiotherapists; his views on whether there are now a significant number of unqualified physiotherapists carrying out treatment where in some cases an inadequate or incomplete diagnosis can result in serious medical consequences; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Physiotherapists wishing to work in the public health service must satisfy certain minimum qualification requirements. At present, a person seeking employment in the public health service as a physiotherapist is required to possess a degree qualification in physiotherapy from one of the country's two recognised schools of physiotherapy — at Trinity College, Dublin, or University College, Dublin — or to have a qualification at least equivalent thereto. There is, therefore, no question of unqualified physiotherapists working in the public health service.
There is no statutory system for regulating the practice of physiotherapy, although the feasibility of implementing such a measure in respect of a range of paramedical disciplines, including physiotherapy, is the subject of ongoing examination in my Department. My Department have no proposals to implement a charter for physiotherapists. Accordingly, the practice of physiotherapy in a private capacity is not subject to regulation.
