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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

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

Noel Grealish

Ceist:

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]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

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]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

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]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

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]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Matt Shanahan

Ceist:

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]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

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]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

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]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

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]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

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]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Pa Daly

Ceist:

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]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Niall Collins

Ceist:

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]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

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