Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

All workers, regardless of the sector of the economy in which they work, are covered by the provisions of the Work Safely Protocol. The Work Safely Protocol, which was published last month, is a revision of the Return to Work Safely Protocol, which was first published in May 2020. The revised protocol incorporates the most up-to-date advice on relevant public health measures and reflects new knowledge and better understanding of these measures.

The protocol provides a framework for all businesses to operate safely and to protect workers. It sets out the measures required in every place of work to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The protocol also contains links directing employers and employees to a range of Government Departments and agencies where more detailed information can be sourced and a comprehensive range of guidance and checklists is available for both employers and employees.

The Health and Safety Authority, HSA, will remain the lead agency in co-ordinated compliance with the work safety protocol. More than 34,000 protocol inspections have been carried out by inspectors from a range of Departments and State bodies, including environmental health officers who inspect food outlets in the hospitality sector. Fáilte Ireland has produced operational guidelines for, and in conjunction with, that sector. The guidelines set out comprehensive advice on reopening with an emphasis on protecting the safety and well-being of employers, employees and customers to help instil public confidence in the sector. The implementation of these guidelines and compliance with the work safety protocol can offer robust protection to all workers in the hospitality sector, especially against a background where the number of people in the general population being vaccinated continues to increase.

It is important to emphasis these protocols were developed in conjunction with our social partners over the past year. They have been of great assistance to companies and businesses. I compliment the approach taken by business owners, who have gone to great lengths to protect their staff, themselves and, more important, their customers. That is why the sector is reopening this week in a positive environment. The confidence is there that they are following protocols and best practice, which will help stop the spread of the virus and protect everybody involved.

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