Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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985. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of social protection offices which have been closed and sanitised due to the presentation of Covid-19 positive applicants at public desks applying for the Covid 19 enhanced illness benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7904/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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No offices have been closed because a customer claiming to have COVID19 has presented in the office.

The Department has a specific protocol for cleaning based on Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) guidance.

Where a customer or a member of staff presents with symptoms the area in which they spent time, such as a desk, public counter or toilet will be closed off until it can be cleaned.

The HPSC has issued a guidance document, which sets out the required cleaning standards following confirmation of a case in the workplace. This is adhered to by our cleaning service.

There are two levels of cleaning being used:

Level 1 Daily Sanitisation Cleaning (Prevention) – This is a cleaning service with a focus on sanitisation touch points and communal areas. It is carried out by our onsite cleaning team.

Level 2 One-off preventative deep clean – This is a cleaning service with a focus on deep sanitisation of surfaces and touch points with increased levels of chemicals and PPE. It is carried out by specialist deep cleaning team (by prior arrangement).

A deeper clean (referred to as level 2) will be used where there have been confirmed cases of COVID-19 or persons who meet the criteria for testing within an office during the last 72 hours.