258 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health and Children the rationale for a proposal which would confine the title of physical therapist exclusively to chartered physiotherapists in legislation in preparation; if his attention has been drawn to the negative implications of such a move on the livelihoods of those working as physical therapists who are not members of the Irish Association of Chartered Physiotherapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16995/03]

Action 105 of the health strategy commits my Department to strengthening and expanding provisions for statutory registration of health professionals. In this context, legislation is being prepared to establish a system of statutory registration for health and social care professionals including physiotherapy.