Dr. Sharon McGuinness:

I thank the Senator for the question. The HSA has resources assigned for reporting under the biological agent regulations and, indeed, for assessment and analysis of the weekly reports from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. In that regard, we have assigned resources. If any reporting system is put in place, we will make sure the reporting requirements are put into play. For example, much of the current reporting on accidents is already done online. We would be doing something similar to reduce the burden on both ourselves and others who have also to report.

We are in the process of recruiting. We got €4.2 million from the Government last year for additional resources and we have got sanctions for significant numbers of inspectors. We are currently in the process of recruiting those. Resources may be challenging in the short term but, as with every aspect of Covid, we have prioritised our work to make sure we are able to address Covid whenever and however we can in that regard.

I will hand over now as I do not want to go over my time.