OCI aims to be the competent authority for Osteopathy in Ireland, and is confident of achieving full state regulation by 2011/12. OCI is focussed on developing a professional body which protects the interests of “The Patient”, “The Practitioner”, and “Osteopathy” itself. There is no protection of title in the Irish Republic at present, OCI wishes to protect Osteopathy by adhering to the highest clinical and professional European and International standards until full regulation is in place. The current membership fee (€395) includes a free Golden Pages advertisement in the OCI Listing in 2010, 2 free CPD events in 2009 alone (a small admin fee may be charged), and full listing on the OCI website. In due course, OCI aims to offer a range of additional benefits to include:

• Equivalence recognition - no need to maintain registration with other (overseas) competent authorities eg: GOsC, AOA etc…….
• Networking – a commitment to building stronger & broader contact with related and unrelated professions to support OCI into the future. This will support: EU Directive on “Health Professionals Crossing Borders”, European Federation of Osteopaths (EFO) membership, and FORE participation.
• Insurance – currently investigating potential savings with a block insurance providers in Ireland and/or Overseas
• Interactive Website ( under construction ) – with online register of members, links to members’ websites and other professional associations, a member’s area to streamline all Council activity, and registrant’s area for Council/Membership communication and for annual online renewals.
• CPD – an increasing programme of events and links to International events
• Tertiary Benefits – possible savings for a variety of group schemes, eg: private health cover, telephone subscribers, card payment terminals, practice leaflets et cetera…….