Public Consultation on the proportionality of legislative amendments contained in the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Act 2020

The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly has launched a public consultation on legislation amending each of the five health regulatory Acts (The Dentists Act 1985, the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, the Pharmacy Act 2007, the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 and the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011).

Directive 2018/958 of the European Parliament requires a proportionality test to be carried out by Member States before the introduction of new, or the amendment of existing, professional regulations that restrict access to, or the pursuit of, regulated professions. The Directive was transposed into Irish law in August 2022 (SI 413/2022). As measures contained in the 2020 Act amend existing regulatory provisions within the five health regulatory Acts, a proportionality assessment to examine these measures is being carried out.

As part of this assessment, the Department of Health is seeking the views of relevant stakeholders on the proportionality of the measures contained in the 2020 Act.

Further background material is contained in Part 1 of the survey. If you would like to receive background information in Irish, please email professionalregulationconsultation@health.gov.ie to request same.

The survey is being hosted on EU Survey. You can complete the survey by clicking here.

This is your opportunity to make your views known. Each of the headings in the survey document contains a reference to the amending section in the 2020 Act, and the section of the primary Act which it is amending. A summary of what is currently contained in each of the Acts and what changes the 2020 Act is introducing is provided.

The views and opinions collected will be considered by the Department of Health and will be used to help determine the proportionality of the measures contained in the 2020 Act.

Any personal information submitted to the Department will be treated strictly in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 and the Data Protection Act 2018. Please note that requests for release of information provided in survey responses can be made under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 and the Department may be required to release this information. If you have any queries about this, please email opendisclosurepolicy@health.gov.ie

To view the consultation click the button below.