Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 113: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her Department's policy regarding the recognition of alternative medicine. [17517/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I am conscious that complementary therapy is of increasing interest to the public and that more people are now attending complementary therapists. However, while the practice of conventional medicine and health care in this country is controlled and regulated, complementary health care has not been subject to the same level of oversight. Standards of education, professional qualifications and experience required are not as well established and the level of qualification and length of training among complementary therapists can vary. Moreover, the practice of some complementary therapies has sometimes been carried out on an informal basis.

Focus in regard to complementary therapy has therefore been on how the regulatory environment for complementary therapists can be strengthened. I see this as essential and, as I have explained to the House on previous occasions, a national working group was established by my predecessor in May 2003 to advise on future measures in this regard. The Deputy will be aware of recent tragic events which have shown that greater controls in the complementary therapy area are in the interest of the public and indeed all reputable practising therapists. I have therefore asked that the report of this group be expedited.