Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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776. To ask the Minister for Health the number of overseas passengers arriving through Dublin Airport since 1 August 2020; the level of compliance in filling out the passenger locator form; the number of forms that were correctly completed; the number of follow-up calls made to passengers; the number of successful follow-up calls completed in each of the past six weeks in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23914/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The electronic COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form (ePLF) was launched online for passengers arriving into Ireland on or after Wednesday 26 August 2020. The first full week’s data highlights that approximately 86% of passengers who arrived between 31st August and 6th September presented a form at their point of entry. (Not all passengers are required to complete a form).

All passengers who complete the electronic form receive an email receipt which includes key public health messages. After arrival to Ireland, passengers receive one public health message via SMS. Passengers arriving from non-green list countries receive three additional public health messages via SMS throughout the next 14 days. In the week from 31st August to 6th September more than 70,000 contacts were made with passengers through SMS. A selection of arriving passengers also receive follow-up calls to verify information provided on the forms. During the same period, over 13,000 outbound and inbound calls took place with passengers.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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777. To ask the Minister for Health the responsibility of his Department for recording and monitoring passengers entering Ireland; the role his Department plays in the passenger locator form and follow-up calls to passengers; the number and grade of staff allocated for this specific purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23915/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The electronic COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form (ePLF) was launched online for passengers arriving into Ireland on or after Wednesday 26 August 2020.

The Department of Health assumed responsibility for development and completion of the new electronic passenger locator form and database, working with the HSE. Operational matters related to contacting passengers by SMS text and telephone calls were outsourced to a service provide. This Department continues to manage and oversee the process, and together with colleagues in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Department of Justice and Equality and the daa, continues to engage proactively on the development of process and procedures to enhance the service.