It has begun!  ICHAS wholeheartedly welcomes the Ministers’ announcement that he now intends to formally proceed with the next steps regarding the statutory regulation of Counselling & Psychotherapy under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act, 2005.

Announcement of the statutory regulation of two distinct professions (Counsellors and Psychotherapists) under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act, 2005.

The Minister for Health, Simon Harris T.D. has formally advised those who made submissions to his Office regarding the statutory regulation of Counselling & Psychotherapy that he now intends to formally proceed to the next steps as required under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act, 2005.

In a commentary from his Office, it was explained that the submissions received in the consultation process undertaken at the end of 2016 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.

Therefore, Minister Harris has indicated that he intends to proceed with the designation of two distinct professions, counsellor and psychotherapist, each with its own register, under one registration board under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005.

His office has indicated that 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 in accordance with the provisions of the 2005 Act.