Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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606. To ask the Minister for Health if he will create a roadmap for the return to practice of podiatry practitioners; if a support package for the podiatry sector will be established similar to that created for the dentistry sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7982/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) Regulations 2020 (SI No. 121 of 2020) were signed by the Minister for Health on 7 April 2020.

Schedule 2 of the Regulations sets out essential services that are exempted from the restrictions and therefore can continue to be provided. This includes (at 15(b)) podiatry services as these services are 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).

The Government has put in place a suite of measures to support small, medium and larger businesses that are negatively impacted by COVID-19. In addition, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has published a Return to Work Safely Protocol, which is designed to support employers and workers to put measures in place that will prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The Health and Safety Authority also provides information and advice for employers and employees in this regard.