Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business, published on 1 May 2020, sets out an indicative path to the easing of COVID 19 restrictions and other actions in order to facilitate the reopening Ireland’s society and economy in a phased manner. The Roadmap specifies that decisions in relation to which actions will be taken and which public health measures might be lifted will be made in accordance with the Framework for Future Decision-Making which is as follows:

1. Before each Government consideration of the easing of restrictions, the Department of Health will provide a report to the Government regarding the following on/off trigger criteria:

a. The latest data regarding the progression of the disease,

b. The capacity and resilience of the health service in terms of hospital and ICU occupancy,

c. The capacity of the programme of sampling, testing and contact tracing,

d. The ability to shield and care for at risk groups,

e. An assessment of the risk of secondary morbidity and mortality as a consequence of the restrictions.

2. It will also provide risk-based public health advice on what measures could be modified in the next period.

3. The Government would then consider what restrictions could be lifted, having regard to the advice of the Department of Health as well as other social and economic considerations, e.g. the potential for increased employment, relative benefits for citizens  and businesses, improving national morale and wellbeing etc.

4. It is acknowledged that there is also an ongoing possibility that restrictions could be re-imposed and this process will be carried out on an ongoing basis once every 3 weeks.

As is clear from the framework, it is the Government rather than I or my Department that will decide on any modifications to the current public health measures in place and those decisions will be informed by the status of the on/off trigger criteria and the public health advice received at the time that a decision is being made.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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629. To ask the Minister for Health the phase in the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business in which occupational and speech and language therapists will return to delivering therapy services for children. [8224/20]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. 

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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630. To ask the Minister for Health the guidelines given to supermarkets in cases in which a member of staff has been diagnosed with Covid-19 but has recently been carrying out duties on the premises. [8234/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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On 9 May the “Return to Work Safely Protocol - COVID-19 Specific National Protocol for Employers and Workers” was published. It provides clear guidance to employers and to workers on the measures that must be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The Protocol was developed through the cooperation of the Health and Safety Authority, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the HSE and my Department. It is designed to be used by all workplaces to adapt their procedures and practices to provide protection against the threat of COVID-19.

The protocol sets out steps for employers and workers to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace including

- the development or amending of policies and procedures for prompt identification and isolation of workers who may have symptoms of COVID-19,

- the implementation of COVID-19 prevention and control measures to minimise risk to workers.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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631. To ask the Minister for Health his plans or the proposals being discussed to temperature test passengers arriving at airports and seaports as part of the Covid-19 response. [7072/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the number of indigenous cases here declines and Ireland eases some restrictions, the relative importance of the risk of importation of cases from overseas increases. Ultimately, the progress towards suppression of community transmission which has been achieved and which should allow for greater resumption of social and economic life in Ireland could be endangered.

The public health advice for passengers arriving into the State from overseas is to self-isolate for 14 days. Since 28 May it is a legal requirement for passengers arriving from overseas to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form. The information on the form may be used to assist our contact tracing teams.

The issue of imposing mandatory self-isolation for a 14 day period, to be considered as the situation evolves, was mentioned in the Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business.

My Department, in consultation with other relevant Departments including the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, is developing proposals to strengthen the 14 days self-isolation arrangements for travellers from overseas.  Any mandatory arrangements would be kept under regular review.

Complementary measures applying to international travel, such as temperature testing at airports, will remain under consideration but are not envisaged at this time.