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Regulation Update Response June 2017

PCI College's response to the decision to implement the recognition and professional registration of Counselling and Psychotherapy in Ireland.

PCI College welcome the decision by the Minister of Health, Mr. Simon Harris TD, to implement the recognition and professional registration of Counselling and Psychotherapy in Ireland under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. PCI College have long since advocated for statutory regulation of the profession and see this as a proactive and productive move in a long term strategy.

 
We note the intention to implement two distinct registers for ‘Counsellors’ and ‘Psychotherapists’ under one registration board. While we hold steadfastly to our view regarding the interchangeability of the titles  and the imperative to unify rather than splinter or fracture the profession,  PCI College as always will liaise with and be guided by the IACP, CORU, Academic Standards and the Government in terms of our obligations, best practice and the integrity of the profession in this regard.
 
We recognise the challenging work that lies ahead for the Government in actioning the agreed regulation and will continue to input into the decision making process should there be a requirement to do so.
 

Click here to see PCI College's Regulation Submission

 

Please see the full response from the Minister of Health below:
 
Re: The regulation of counsellors and psychotherapists under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act, 2005.


The Minister for Health, Simon Harris T.D. has asked me to let you know that following consideration of his consultation with the Health and Social Care Professionals Council (CORU) and the subsequent public consultation process on the regulation of counsellors and psychotherapists, he now intends to proceed with the designation under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, of two distinct professions, counsellor and psychotherapist, each with its own register, under one registration board.

The consultation process yielded information that has been of considerable assistance to the Minister and his officials. The submissions received showed majority support for statutory regulation of the professions and for it to be undertaken in the context of the Health & Social Care Professionals Act, 2005. The submissions will assist the Council and the registration board when established with the challenging work programme that now lies ahead.

Department officials will commence work as soon as is practicable on the legislative and administrative arrangements required to designate the professions under the 2005 Act, establish the registration board and arrange for the appointment of its 13 board members (to be recruited through the Public Appointments Service) in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Once appointed, the registration board will give further consideration to a number of key issues pertaining to the regulation of the professions and will advise the Minister and the Council accordingly. Registration boards established under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 can appoint sub-committees (which can include non-board members) or seek expert advice to assist in its work.   

The Minister acknowledges that this is a challenging undertaking encompassing an extensive legislative and administrative work programme that will take time to achieve. However, the decision to proceed with having both professions designated for regulation under the 2005 Act is the crucial first step in enabling this work to begin.
 
The Minister would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your submission and to assure you that it will continue to be taken into consideration as work progresses.

All submissions are now available on the Departments website at: http://health.gov.ie/blog/noticeboard/decision-of-minister-simon-harris-in-relation-to-the-regulation-of-counsellors-and-psychotherapists-under-the-health-and-social-care-professionals-act-2005/

If you wish to contact the Department in relation to the Minister’s decision please send your correspondence to: candpconsultation@health.gov.ie

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