Conor Lenihan
Question:264 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to give proper recognition to alternative medicines and to those who are practising in this area. [7249/99]
Written Answers. - Alternative Medicine.
The current position in relation to alternative medicine in Ireland is that it is not regulated by statute as practitioners of alternative medicine are not employed within the public health service. With regard to the control of standards and codes of practice in this area, the Department's policy has been to encourage the various therapeutic groups to establish their own regulatory structure and to develop mechanisms to inform the general public about the availability of services from reputable therapists. Many of the therapeutic groups have adopted this system of self-regulation.