Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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465. To ask the Minister for Health when those providing complementary therapies, such as reflexology, will be given a definitive indication as to when they can begin to see patients and resume professional activity; if he will communicate with an organisation (details supplied) in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13119/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, on 19 June 2020, the Taoiseach, on behalf of the Government, announced the restrictions that would be eased and the measures that will be in place in Phase 3. On Thursday 25 June, the Government confirmed the move to Phase 3 of Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business from Monday, 29 June 2020. Information and advice about the restrictions that have been eased as part of Phase 3 and the measures that are now in place are available on the Government website at

The Government also agreed to bring forward actions in the remaining phases of the Roadmap and plan for four phases rather than the five originally indicated. This will be subject to continued progressive improvements in the health indicators identified in the Framework for Future Decision-Making described in the Roadmap.

I wish to clarify to the Deputy that complementary therapies are included in these measures and may now recommence under Phase 3 of the Roadmap. As public health restrictions are lifted, and there are no longer detailed rules in place imposed by the State, everybody in society will now need to exercise their own judgement and take personal responsibility for decisions that they make about the risk of infection to themselves and to others in different situations. A risk assessment framework or Public Health Checklist has been drafted by the National Public Health Emergency Team and agreed by Government to assist businesses in making decisions about how to assess the risk of different activities and take actions to lower the risk of spreading infection. It is important that there is continued commitment across society from all arms of the State, organisations, employers, businesses and individuals to work together to collectively promote, support and encourage everyone in the community to adhere to the core public health principles as effectively as possible, as often as possible, and in as many situations as possible for the benefit of all.

The Public Health Checklist which refers to health and well-being services under Phase 3 of the Roadmap can be found on the Government website at

I would also wish to draw the Deputy's attention to the Return to Work Safely Protocol which was published by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation on Saturday 9 May last. This detailed guidance document was developed to assist employers and employees in the coming period and is available at . The Protocol is mandatory, and it applies to all workplaces right across the economy. Specific sectors may need to introduce additional safeguards, but this document sets out the standard set of measures required in every workplace.