Skip to main content
Normal View

Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Questions (1114, 1177, 1189, 1191, 1199, 1209, 1242, 1262, 1318, 1366, 1388)

Noel Grealish

Question:

1114. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if holistic therapists who are providing reflexology and massage therapy for a range of different health needs and different ages are considered essential workers under guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33713/20]

View answer

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

1177. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if acupuncture is deemed an essential service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32530/20]

View answer

Brendan Griffin

Question:

1189. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture practitioners (details supplied) will be permitted to operate in level 5 in view of the health benefits for their patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32598/20]

View answer

Neale Richmond

Question:

1191. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if health services such as acupuncture and osteopathy are permitted to operate under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32585/20]

View answer

Matt Shanahan

Question:

1199. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter on a new classification of acupuncture (details supplied); and the reason for closing this type of service down under level 5 restrictions. [32619/20]

View answer

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1209. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if professionals not included under the Act but who are engaged in pain management therapies and physical therapy can continue to operate. [32666/20]

View answer

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

1242. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if the profession of medical acupuncturist can be considered for inclusion as an essential service under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32758/20]

View answer

Gerald Nash

Question:

1262. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by acupuncturists at their inability to practice and provide a service to their clients under the Covid-19 level 5 restrictions; if he will consider reviewing the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32825/20]

View answer

Matt Carthy

Question:

1318. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that acupuncturists and other well-being therapists will be permitted to work during the pandemic restrictions in view of the important healthcare role they perform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33110/20]

View answer

Pa Daly

Question:

1366. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the position for holistic therapies such as reflexology, reiki and so on under essential services during the level 4 and level 5 phases of lockdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33381/20]

View answer

Niall Collins

Question:

1388. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter concerning massage therapists (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33572/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1114, 1177, 1189, 1191, 1199, 1209, 1242, 1262, 1318, 1366 and 1388 together.

As the Deputy is aware, Ireland is currently at Level 5 of Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021 - the Plan for Living with COVID-19. At Level 5, only essential retail outlets and essential services are allowed to open to the public.

The list of essential services that can remain open during Level 5 includes therapy services provided by a member of a designated profession within the meaning of section 3 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (No. 27 of 2005). There are seventeen professions designated under the 2005 Act, which are encompassed in the list of essential services. These are: Dietitians, Dispensing Opticians, Medical Scientists, Occupational Therapists, Optometrists, Physiotherapists (which includes Physical Therapists), Radiographers, Radiation Therapists, Social Workers, Speech and Language Therapists, Clinical Biochemists, Counsellors, Orthoptists, Podiatrists, Psychologists, Psychotherapists and Social Care Workers.

Top
Share