Music therapy should be widely used to treat patients with physical and mental health problems, a Dáil committee will claim today.
The Defining Music Therapy report by the Oireachtas Arts and Community Affairs Committee will recommend its use with victims of burns, child abuse sufferers and children with learning difficulties.
Committee chairperson and former music teacher Cecelia Keaveney will publish her findings in Leinster House this afternoon.
"This report challenges existing assumptions and practices and makes a strong case for this non-invasive and non-traumatic area of medicine," the Donegal North East TD said.
The committee is calling for additional Government resources to validate and remunerate professionals who provide music therapy services.
Ms Keaveney surveyed medics and health professionals in preparing the report - the committee's 11th.