Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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839. To ask the Minister for Health the number of close contacts contacted via the Covid-19 tracker application since it was launched. [26602/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In relation to the Deputy's question, regarding the number of close contacts contacted via the Covid-19 tracker application since it was launched, the privacy preserving nature of the app means that health systems like Ireland, who use decentralised COVID Tracker Apps do not have access to the number of alerts issued by the app.

The contact tracing teams in the HSE therefore the number of alerts being issued in two ways:

1. Users of the app who get alerts are advised to call HSE Live and the number of people who call are noted and

2. Users of the app have the option, during registration, to record their mobile number in the app and if/when they receive a close contact, the app 'releases' the number to the public health contact tracing operations, who can then contact the individual. The number of mobile numbers released to contact tracing is also noted.

As of the 22nd September, 2064 people who have received a close contact alert through the app have requested a call back from the Contact Tracing Team either through options 1 or 2 above.