merrion street

Minister for Health Simon Harris today welcomed the fact that the regulation of the professions of counsellor and psychotherapist has moved a step closer.

Minister Harris said

"The regulation of these professions will ensure greater protection of the public as those registered must comply with a code of professional conduct and ethics and will be subject to fitness to practice."

The decision to regulate the professions of counsellor and psychotherapist comes on foot of consultation with the Health and Social Care Professionals Council, followed by a wider public consultation.

"The approval by the Oireachtas today of the Regulations designating the professions of counsellor and psychotherapist under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, establishes one registration board for both professions and creates two new professional positions (for the professions of counsellor and psychotherapist) on the Health and Social Care Professionals Council.

"Registrants will have minimum qualifications and only those registered will be entitled to use the title or titles protected under the Act. Registrants will be subject to a range of sanctions (including suspension or cancellation of registration) in the case of a substantiated complaint of professional misconduct or poor professional performance.

"I am conscious of the work done to date by a number of professional bodies and interested parties in seeking to have these professions regulated by the State and I am pleased that I am now in a position to make the Regulations and to commence work on the appointment of the 13 member registration board following the submission of suitable candidates for my consideration by the Public Appointments Service."