Professional Regulation Unit
The Professional Regulation Unit is responsible for regulatory policy in respect of health and social care professionals, nurses and midwives, medical practitioners, opticians and dentists, including the preparation and implementation of legislation for these grades. The Unit has lead role on the recognition of non-Irish professional qualifications, including the implementation of EU Directive 2005/36/EC. It also manages the Department’s position on regulatory issues with respect to Complementary Therapies.
Responsibilities
Legislation
Drafting and Processing through the Houses of the Oireachtas of:
- Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010
- Health & Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2011
- Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 (Dissolution of the Opticians Board and its integration into the Health and Social Care Professionals Council)
- Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2011-12 (Development of legislation to amend the Medical Practitioners Act 2007)
The Health & Social Care Professionals Council
- Ongoing implementation of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (statutory registration and the establishment of the Health and Social Care Professionals Council & twelve Registration Boards under the Act)
- This Unit is responsible for holding the Health and Social Care Professionals Council to account in terms of funding, governance and employment control framework.
Complementary Therapies
- Management of Department’s position on regulatory issues in relation to Complementary Therapies
Recognition of non-Irish Professional Qualifications
- Competent Authority for certain health and social care professions under Directive 2005/36/EC
- Co-ordination of Department’s position on Directive 2005/36/EC.
Dentists
- Scope of legislation required
Current Issues
Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010
This legislation was before the last Daíl. Lapsed on the dissolution of the 30th Daíl (see links below to Bill, explanatory memorandum and press release).
Health & Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2011
Draft legislation to make necessary technical amendments to the 2005 Act is currently being finalised.
Directive 2005/36/EC
Department’s input into evaluation of the Directive leading to the preparation of Commission Green Paper.
Relevant Documents
Nurses and Midwives Bill - Explanatory Memorandum
Nurses and Midwives Bill - Press Release
Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
View details concerning validation of foreign qualifications
Health and Social Care Professionals Act, 2005
Health and Social Care Professionals Council
Coru, the organisation responsible for regulating health and social care professionals, is inviting you to comment on the development of procedures for registering social workers. For further information visit http://www.coru.ie/media-events/consultations/Code-of-Professional-Conduct-Consultation/
Staff
| Principal Officer | Deirdre Walsh |
|---|---|
| Assistant Principal Officers | Mr Kieran Duffy |
| Ms Geraldine Kelly | |
| Ms Catherine McManus |
Contact
- Telephone: 01 - 635 4000
- Fax: 01 - 635 4579
