Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to promote greater regulation of complementary health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18306/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Report of the National Working Group on the Regulation of Complementary Therapists in 2006 made recommendations on strengthening the regulatory environment for complementary therapists including voluntary self-regulation for the majority of therapists and statutory regulation for Acupuncturists, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners and Herbal practitioners.

To support the development of robust voluntary self-regulation, the Report of the National Working Group outlined guidance for professional associations and provided examples of codes of ethics and good practice, including grievance and disciplinary procedures. In addition, this Department has facilitated the provision of work days. The purpose of these days is for different therapists to come together to undertake a process of harmonisation and development with regard to common basic standards of practice, education and training. In addition, these facilitated work days provide a forum for greater cohesion within each therapy. Work days were organised in 2007 for a number of the higher risk therapies as categorised in the Report of the National Working Group on the Regulation of Complementary Therapists i.e. acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, herbal medicine, aromatherapy and homeopathy.

In addition to the above, an Information Guide for the Public has been produced offering guidance for members of the public when choosing to see a complementary therapist.

The certification of complementary therapy training courses was also recommended in the Report of the National Working Group on the Regulation of Complementary Therapists. In this regard, I understand that the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) are developing standards for complementary therapy education courses.