Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2025
847. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to raise the level of psychotherapy standards and criteria; the engagement she has had with the sector in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57323/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, CORU is Ireland’s multi-profession health and social care regulator. CORU’s role is to protect the public by regulating the health and social care professions designated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended).
Counsellors and psychotherapists perform a vital role, providing therapeutic care to often vulnerable people. Regulation is being introduced to these professions to protect the public, ensuring that care provided is of a consistently high standard and always by suitably qualified individuals.
The Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board (CPRB) was established in 2019 and since that time has been working to progress regulation of both professions.
In July 2025 CORU published two key documents for each of these professions.
Standards of Proficiency• : These outline the threshold knowledge and skills required for entry to the register. They define what a counsellor or psychotherapist must be able to do at the point of entry into practice.
Criteria for Education and Training Programmes• : These set out the systems and processes education providers must implement in the design and management of education and training programmes. They provide assurance that all graduates have achieved all the Standards of Proficiency upon successful completion of an education and training programme.
The adopted Standards and Criteria reflect the threshold knowledge and skills required for safe practice at entry to the professions of Counselling and Psychotherapy. The introduction of consistent standards for the education and training of counsellors and psychotherapists marks a significant milestone, ensuring that those seeking support can have confidence in accessing appropriately trained and qualified practitioners.
The CPRB undertook extensive research, analysis, and public consultation to introduce regulation of each profession for the first time.
In 2023, CORU conducted an extended 12-week public consultation on the draft Standards of Proficiency and Criteria for Education and Training for both professions, counsellors and psychotherapists. The consultation was launched by a live webinar, with a recorded version made available on CORU’s website to ensure broad accessibility. The process was further supported by bespoke e-book resources and comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) designed to assist stakeholders in engaging fully with the material.
To maximise participation and awareness, the consultation was advertised through print and social media, on CORU’s website, and by direct email to a wide range of stakeholders, including professional representative bodies, patient advocacy organisations, employers, education providers, and relevant Government Departments. Reminders also issued throughout the 12 week consultation process.
This extensive consultation generated almost 700 submissions from across the sector - including practitioners, representative bodies, education providers, service users, and members of the public.
This comprehensive process recognised the differences in scope and complexity of practice between the two professions and ensures that the threshold standards and qualification levels set for each accurately reflect the competencies required for safe and effective practice, while strengthening public protection.
In line with the CPRB’s statutory responsibility to assess, balance and consider all perspectives before reaching a final evidence-based decision, the Board carefully considered every submission received and determined the final Standards and Criteria that now underpin entry to the registers for both counsellors and psychotherapists. This open, structured and inclusive process demonstrates CORU’s clear commitment to transparency, accountability, evidence-based decision-making, and, above all, the protection of the public.
Throughout the process, CORU provided regular updates on its progress via its website.
A comprehensive consultation report has been published by CORU, setting out the process followed, the key themes raised in submissions, and the rationale for the final decisions taken by the Board and is accessible at: www.coru.ie/public-protection/publications/consultation-reports/counsellors-psychotherapists-registration-board/.
I am confident that CORU’s work will bring clear benefits for public protection. The framework has been designed to strengthen standards of practice while ensuring that training pathways and workforce supply are not adversely affected.
I am assured that CORU will continue to engage closely with education providers, professional bodies, and other stakeholders as the regulatory process advances, keeping public protection at the centre of this work.
I am eager to see this work progressed so that two very important professions are finally regulated, in the interest of public protection.
