Irish Council for Psychotherapy (Irish Council for Psychotherapy)
Lobbying activity
The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.
Email (2-5)
The Minister for Health launched a public consultation on the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill, part of the Government’s Autumn 2025 Legislative Programme. The consultation sought stakeholder input on proposed amendments to health & social care regulatory acts, as required by EU Directive 2018/958. Interested parties could provide feedback via an online survey on Gov.ie, open for four weeks starting 24/10/2025. Circulated via email by ICP CEO to ICP registrants.
Email (2-5)
ICP CEO sought to address concerns raised during a Health Committee meeting re: CORU's standards for psychotherapist education & training, including clarifications on personal therapy for family therapist students. Alessandra Fantini, (Principal Officer) (Professional Regulation Unit) c/o The Department of Health acknowledged receipt of correspondence & confirmed the Minister for Health would meet with CORU to discuss these issues, with a response to follow post-meeting.
Informal communication (2-5)
Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when she plans to meet with an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58293/25] (04/11/2025) https://tinyurl.com/2arc8c5s
Informal communication (2-5)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD communicated to ICP CEO that ICP’s lobbying efforts led to numerous parliamentary questions re: CORU's proposed changes to psychotherapy training standards. Concerns raised include reduced clinical practice hours, removal of personal therapy requirements, & lack of mandatory supervision. The Minister emphasizes CORU's commitment to public protection, evidence-based standards, and stakeholder engagement while addressing these regulatory changes.
Letter (11-20)
The ICP urges Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to revise CORU's draft standards for psychotherapy regulation, citing concerns over public safety, professional integrity, & misalignment with European norms. ICP recommends mandatory personal therapy, clinical supervision, 500 clinical practice hours, & a four-year Level 9 qualification for trainees. ICP request the Minister to use her powers under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 to ensure these safeguards are implemented.
Letter (11-20)
ICP lobbied against CORU’s revised standards for psychotherapy training, citing concerns over public safety & professional integrity. Key objections = reduced clinical practice hours, removal of mandatory personal therapy, lack of supervision requirements, & non-compliance with EU standards, risking EU employment mobility. ICP urges policymakers to challenge these changes, align with EAP standards, and ensure robust, evidence-based regulation developed in consultation with professionals.
Letter (11-20)
The ICP is lobbying against CORU’s revised psychotherapy training standards, citing concerns over public safety, professional integrity, & alignment with European standards. ICP CEO seeks Sinn Féin TD Sorca Clarke’s support to challenge these changes in the Dáil & Oireachtas Health Committee. Clarke’s office agreed to meet 21/10/2025, to discuss the issue further & consider ICP’s request to address the Health Committee.
Letter (11-20)
The ICP lobbied Social Democrats TDs Pádraig Rice and Liam Quaide to challenge CORU’s revised psychotherapy training standards, citing public safety risks and non-compliance with European standards. Key concerns include reduced training requirements and the exclusion of mandatory personal therapy. Both TDs supported the ICP’s stance, with Quaide pledging to raise the issue in the Dáil & Rice securing a Health Committee session on 19/11/2025 to address the matter.
Letter (11-20)
ICP urged David Cullinane TD to challenge CORU’s revised psychotherapy training standards, citing six critical concerns, including reduced clinical practice hours, lack of mandatory personal therapy, & non-compliance with EU standards. ICP highlighted public safety risks & requested Cullinane to raise the issue in the Dáil & health policy discussions. ICP sought an opportunity to address the Oireachtas Health Committee to present its concerns & evidence supporting personal therapy.
Letter (11-20)
The ICP lobbied TDs to support their request to address the Oireachtas Committee on Health re: concerns over CORU’s proposed standards for psychotherapists. ICP argued these changes undermine training quality, public safety, & EU employment mobility. Key issues included reduced clinical practice hours, lack of mandatory personal therapy, & disregard for European standards. ICP seeks robust, evidence-based regulation developed in consultation with the profession.
Letter (11-20)
ICP raises concerns re: CORU’s lack of meaningful consultation with the profession in developing psychotherapy training standards. ICP disputes claims of sufficient expertise on CORU’s Council, criticises the exclusion of mandatory personal therapy, & highlights inadequate clinical supervision reqs. ICP argues CORU’s standards risk lowering qualifications, hindering international mobility, & reducing public protection. ICP urges OHC to address issues & ensure robust, collaborative regulation.
Meeting (2-5)
ICP CEO, Board, & Registrants engaged in lobbying efforts at Buswells on 13/11/2025, meeting Senators & TDs to address concerns re: CORU’s proposed Standards of Proficiency for Psychotherapists. Via pop-up presentations by experienced psychotherapists, they highlighted key issues & potential impacts on the profession & public. Public reps were invited for briefings to ensure psychotherapy regulation in Ireland is robust & aligned with best practices, emphasizing the importance of their support
Meeting (2-5)
ICP urges Oireachtas members to advocate for Minister for Health to intervene in CORU’s revised psychotherapy standards, which fall below EU norms, risking public safety & professional credibility. ICP calls for mandatory personal therapy, clinical supervision, a minimum four-year training duration, 500 clinical practice hours, & EU alignment. ICP demand transparent stakeholder consultation to safeguard Ireland’s psychotherapy standards & ensure international recognition & public protection.
Meeting (2-5)
On 26/11/2025, ICP addressed the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health to advocate for stronger standards in psychotherapy education & training. Key recommendations included mandatory personal therapy, clinical supervision, alignment with Irish & European standards, & recognition of psychotherapy as a distinct profession. ICP urges the Minister for Health to pause current standards & form a collaborative Working Group to ensure public protection & professional integrity.
Submission (1)
Safeguarding Psychotherapy Training & Practice Standards in Ireland - A Submission from ICP to the Minister for Health Following the Publication of Revised CORU Standards For Psychotherapy (02/10/2025) https://tinyurl.com/2fepp8vd
Submission (1)
ICP urges Minister for Health to intervene in CORU's proposed psychotherapy training standards, which lack mandatory personal therapy, adequate clinical supervision, sufficient training duration, & clinical practice hours. ICP highlights risks to public safety, professional integrity, & international recognition. ICP advocate for aligning Ireland's standards with EU benchmarks i.e., 250 hours of personal therapy, 500 clinical practice hours, & minimum of 4 years training to ensure quality safety
Designated public officials lobbied
The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.