Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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1137. To ask the Minister for Health the number of passengers who have arrived in Ireland who have been found to have not adhered to the 14-day quarantine period. [32375/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Passengers arriving to Ireland from countries that are not included on the Government green list are advised to restrict movements for 14 days. This provision has the status of a public health advisory so no monitoring of adherence or enforcement of the measure is conducted.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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1138. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the behavioural change subgroup of NPHET; the number of times the group has met since June 2020; if the group continues to advise NPHET; the number of reports the group has produced; the date of publication of these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32381/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is advised that the NPHET COVID-19 Subgroup – Behavioural Change was established on 18^thMarch 2020 to support the NPHET in its work by providing insights and evidence to support communications and other interventions required to drive and sustain behavioural change as part of the COVID-19 response.

The Subgroup’s Membership included representatives from the Department of Health (DOH) and a number of Irish experts from national agencies and academic institutions:

The Subgroup met on 17 occasions, on the following dates:

18^th, 20^th, 27^thMarch;

2^nd, 9^th, 16^th, 23^rd, 30^thApril;

7^th, 14^th, 21^st, 29^th, May;

5^th, 12^th, 24^thJune;

10^th, 24^thJuly.

The agendas and minutes of these meetings are published on the Department of Health website:

.

The Subgroup produced 11 reports, which will be published on the Department of Health website in the coming days: .

Research papers that were published by Members of the Subgroup are also available here: .

In July 2020, as part of a process examining the work of all the Subgroups of the NPHET, the Subgroup on Behavioural Change undertook a review of its work. A paper was submitted to the NPHET on 23^rdJuly confirming that the Subgroup had met its terms of reference. The Subgroup was accordingly stood down and its work was realigned into the appropriate policy and operational functions of the Department of Health or other relevant organisations, or bodies. The group’s final meeting was on 24^thJuly.

At the NPHET meeting on the 23^rdJuly, it was agreed the Subgroup would be reconstituted on an advisory basis, when required, to provide expert insight to the NPHET. The new advisory group is called the COVID-19 Communications and Behaviour Advisory Group, this is not a subgroup of the NPHET. The New groups terms of reference are as follows:

- Provide evidence-based analysis and advice to the Department of Health Covid-19 Communications function to understand key population behaviours and drivers and inform public communications activities;

- Analyse the data generated through the Department’s research processes conducted to listen to the public to understand and address emerging concerns, and advise on potential research issues;

- The group will meet on a regular basis to review and provide insights with the outputs of this process being fed into NPHET on a monthly basis;

- The group may also be requested to meet or otherwise provide analysis and advice on an additional ad-hoc basis if required, for example on an emerging issue of concern.

The Membership of the NPHET continues to be multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral in line with best international practice.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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1139. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the vulnerable persons subgroup of NPHET; the number of times the group has met since June 2020; if the group continues to advise NPHET; the number of reports the group has produced; the date of publication of these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32382/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is advised that the NPHET COVID-19 Vulnerable People Subgroup was established on 3^rdMarch 2020 to support the NPHET in its work by providing oversight and assurance with regard to the specific preparedness measures and actions required to be taken to protect vulnerable groups and individuals in society as part of the COVID-19 response.

The Subgroup’s Membership included representatives from the Department of Health (DOH), Health Service Executive (HSE), Department of Justice and Equality (DJE), Department of Defence (DOD), Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (DHPLG), Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DYCA), Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD), Department of Education and Skills (DES), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER), the Voluntary Sector, other Agencies, Regulator(s), and a public representative.

An integrated cross-Government approach was taken by the Subgroup with the responsibility for the implementation of actions remaining with the relevant Department/Agency.

The Subgroup met on 11 occasions, on the following dates:

6^th, 11^th, 18^th, 25^thMarch 2020;

1^st, 15^th, 29^thApril;

7^th, 20^thMay;

3^rd, 24^thJune (final meeting).

The agendas and minutes of these meetings are published on the Department of Health website:

.

The Subgroup produced 16 reports, which will be published on the Department of Health website in the coming days: .

In July 2020, as part of a process examining the work of all the subgroups of the NPHET, the Subgroup on Vulnerable People undertook a review of its work. A paper was submitted to the NPHET on 8^thJuly, outlining the view that the Subgroup had met its Terms of Reference regarding preparedness plans being in place across government for vulnerable groups. The Subgroup on Vulnerable People was accordingly stood down and its work was realigned into the appropriate policy and operational functions of the Department of Health or other relevant Departments, organisations, or bodies. The group’s final meeting was on 24^thJune.

For your further information, Government has recognised that vulnerable groups have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and there continues to be a need for a cross-Government mechanism to coordinate sustained support for those who are vulnerable, and disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. In this regard, the Department of the Taoiseach has established a new cross-Government mechanism for higher risk groups including those with a disability. Each Government Department with lead policy responsibility is represented on this oversight group. The Department of Health is represented on this group by the Social Care Division (policy remit for Older People and people living with a disability) and the Assistant Secretary with responsibility for Mental Health and Social Inclusion.