Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
169. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason for the decision made regarding the operation of massage therapy under level 5 restrictions; if he will engage with a representative body (details supplied) to discuss its concerns regarding these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34883/20]
View answer170. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the detail of the advice provided by NPHET regarding the operation of massage therapy under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34884/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 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.
I fully recognise the challenges business are facing right now but would emphasise that the purpose of these restrictions are to ensure that we reduce the spread of the virus so that we can, in the future, open business back up. Safely.
