Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1007. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of temporary veterinary inspectors who have been employed at each relevant food processing plant; the number of temporary veterinary inspectors who signed the waiver at each plant in cases where they were over 70 years of age or otherwise extremely medically vulnerable to Covid-19, by each month in 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26463/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department engages independent private veterinary practitioners to provide services in meat plants to support DAFM staff in 49 meat plants by providing meat inspection services. The total numbers of such Temporary Veterinary Inspectors (TVIs) on panels at each relevant plant and the number of those over 70 years of age or otherwise extremely medically vulnerable to Covid-19 provided waivers at each plant by month in 2020 (from July to September) is provided in tabular form.

The overall cohort of TVIs includes those who are over 70 and/or who are otherwise extremely medically vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19. Initially, my Department, in line with HSE guidance on cocooning, and in recognition of its responsibilities towards contractors which it engages, did not engage these individuals in order to protect their health. As guidance evolved, my Department put in place a protocol for the engagement of those TVIs over 70 and/or otherwise vulnerable to COVID-19. The waiver and the accompanying communications make clear that TVIs, as contractors, have responsibilities regarding their own health and safety and that they must undertake a risk assessment process and, if necessary, provide a waiver before this engagement takes place.