Written answers

Tuesday, 9 June 2020

Photo of Emer HigginsEmer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

310. To ask the Minister for Health if an exemption will be made to the requirement for passengers to self-isolate for a passenger that has recently tested negative for Covid-19 by the public health authorities in Germany and the purpose of the trip is to see their children for a few days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9856/20]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The public health advice for passengers arriving into the State from overseas is to self-isolate for 14 days. Self-isolation means staying indoors and completely avoiding contact with other people.

Information for those who are self-isolating and for people living with those who are self-isolating is published by the HSE on www.hse.ie.

In the absence of a test that definitively shows that a passenger arriving from overseas neither has nor is incubating the virus, the public health advice for passengers is to self-isolate during the 14 days – the duration of possible incubation - after arrival into the State.

By contrast, 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.

My Department, in consultation with other relevant Departments including the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, is developing proposals to strengthen the 14-day self-isolation arrangements for travellers from overseas. Careful consideration is being given to exemptions to any mandatory regime of quarantine.Any mandatory arrangements would be kept under regular review.

Photo of John LahartJohn Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

311. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); the reason Ireland has chosen a different course of action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9963/20]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The measures taken are underpinned by a clear public health rationale.

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-day self-isolation arrangements for travellers from overseas.

Any mandatory arrangements would be kept under regular review.

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

312. To ask the Minister for Health if a joint order of PPE from China was agreed with the Northern Ireland Executive in view of a statement by the Minister for Finance in Northern Ireland on 27 March 2020; and if so, the details of the order and agreement. [10142/20]

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

313. To ask the Minister for Health the discussions the Chief Procurement Officer and the Office of Government Procurement had with departments of the Northern Ireland Executive regarding the potential order and purchase of PPE in March and April 2020; if the statement by the Minister for Finance in Northern Ireland on 27 March 2020 that a joint order for PPE from China had been agreed with the Government actually was in place; and if so, the details of same. [10155/20]

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

400. To ask the Minister for Health if joint orders for PPE have been made with the Northern Ireland Executive since the Covid-19 crisis commenced; if so, when they were agreed; the persons with whom they were agreed; and the cost of same. [10146/20]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 312, 313 and 400 together.

The Office of Government Procurement (OGP), has a longstanding working relationship with the Construction and Procurement Delivery (CPD) office of the Northern Ireland Department of Finance. Significant engagement had taken place between the OGP and CPD as part of the response to Covid-19, including exploring the option of a joint procurement to meet PPE needs. This joint option was progressed but was not ultimately concluded and both jurisdictions made their own arrangements for PPE supplies. There is ongoing dialogue between the OGP and CPD on Covid-19.

A Memorandum of Understanding was formally agreed on 7 April between the Departments of Health in Ireland and Northern Ireland to underpin and strengthen North South co-operation on the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on facilitating greater co-operation on areas such as public health messaging, research, programmes of behavioural change, ethics, evidence base/ modelling and public health and non-pharmaceutical measures. Other areas will be considered, such as procurement, where this is of mutual benefit.

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

314. To ask the Minister for Health the number of disability therapy staff that have been redeployed on Covid-19 work; the number that have returned to their original posts; the timetable for all therapy staff to recommence working with children with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9646/20]

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

315. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which Covid-19 has affected waiting lists for disability services for children; the waiting lists for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and psychology for disability services children for those waiting less than 12, between 12 to 52 and more than 52 weeks by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9647/20]

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.