Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2016
594. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on the impact on the livelihood of persons who work in the physical therapy sector of the removal of the professional title "physical therapist" from physical therapy practitioners; if a crossover exam could be put in place to allow them to be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21188/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraBy end 2018, the title of physiotherapist is due to be protected, under the provisions of Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, for the exclusive use of registrants of the physiotherapists register. In addition, and in order to eliminate an ongoing risk of title confusion and consequent risks to public safety, I intend to make regulations under the Act to prescribe the title of physical therapist as a variant of the title of physiotherapist thereby protecting both titles.
I also intend to amend the Act to facilitate existing users of the title of physical therapist who are not qualified physiotherapists but who are graduates of the Institute of Physical Therapy and Applied Science or who hold equivalent qualifications to continue to use the title. New and separate grand parenting provisions, which may include provision for an assessment of professional competence for some applicants, will be introduced to permit such practitioners to register, on a once-off basis and for a limited period, in the physiotherapists register.
My Department is preparing the necessary legislation to give effect to the detail of these decisions which have been communicated to the Physiotherapists Registration Board and other interested parties.
