Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

"Iris Oifigiúil" of 20th March, 2012.

The Health and Social Care Professionals Council, in exercise of the powers conferred on it by section 18 and section 22 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 , hereby makes the following rule:

1. (1) This rule may be cited as the Time Limits for Payment of Annual Fees for Retention of Registration Rule 2012.

(2) This rule comes into operation on 15 March 2012 and remains effective until revoked or revised by the Health and Social Care Professionals Council.

2. In this rule-

"Act" means the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 ;

"annual retention fee" is the fee set under section 18 of the Act payable by a registrant each year on the renewal date to retain registration in the register of their designated profession;

"designated profession" means a profession designated by Section 4 of the Act;

"registration board" means a registration board established under Section 26 of the Act;

"renewal date" means the date set by the registration board on which the annual retention fee becomes payable.

3. The Health and Social Care Professionals Council sets out these time limits for payment of annual fees for retention of registration:

(1) A registrant is required to pay the annual retention fee to the Health and Social Care Professionals Council to retain registration in the register of their designated profession. Prior to the renewal date, a registrant will be issued with a notice demanding payment of the annual retention fee. The annual retention fee is due to be paid on or before the renewal date.

(2) If the registrant has not paid the annual retention fee 28 days after the renewal date, he or she will be issued with a final warning notice. The final warning notice will demand payment within 14 days of the date of the notice.

(3) If the registrant fails to pay the annual retention fee within the final 14-day period, the Health and Social Care Professionals Council may, at its absolute discretion, exercise the powers granted under section 40(1) to direct the relevant registration board to remove from its register the name of the registrant.

GIVEN under the Seal of the Health and Social Care Professionals Council,

15 March 2012.

TOM JORDAN,

Chairperson,

Health and Social Care Professionals Council.

and

GINNY HANRAHAN,

Chief Executive Officer,

Health and Social Care Professionals Council.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

The rule sets out the time limits for payment of annual fees for retention of registration.