International Protection Act 2026

Chapter 2

Screening

Definitions (Part 2) (Chapter 2)

20. In this Chapter—

“children detention school” has the meaning it has in the Children Act 2001 ;

“guardian”, in relation to a minor, includes a person exercising parental responsibility (within the meaning of paragraph 2 of Article 1 of the Hague Convention as set out in the Schedule to the Protection of Children (Hague Convention) Act 2000 ) in respect of the minor;

“healthcare professional” means—

(a) a registered medical practitioner,

(b) a registered nurse or registered midwife within the meaning of the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 , or

(c) a member of one or more than one of the following designated professions within the meaning of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 , namely:

(i) psychologist;

(ii) social care worker;

(iii) social worker;

(iv) such other designated profession, within the meaning of section 3 of that Act, as the Minister, following consultation with the Minister for Health, may prescribe;

“qualified medical professional” means—

(a) a registered medical practitioner,

(b) a registered nurse or registered midwife within the meaning of the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 , or

(c) a paramedic or advanced paramedic within the meaning of the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (Establishment) Order 2000 ( S.I. No. 109 of 2000 ) and the European Union (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2017 ( S.I. No. 8 of 2017 );

“screening centre” means a premises designated to be a screening centre under section 21 .