Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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411. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the roles members of the Defence Forces are currently playing in tackling the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1281/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Whilst the Defence Forces are not a primary response agency for non-security related emergencies, as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, they provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in its Aid to Civil Authority (ATCA) role. In this regard, the full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment, commensurate with operational requirements, is made available for deployments, within current means and capabilities, as the need arises.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Joint Task Force was established to coordinate the Defence Forces contribution to the whole-of-Government COVID-19 response. It has the authority to draw together, in a joint manner, the contribution of all of the elements of the Defence Forces – Army, Air Corps, Naval Service, Reserve, etc. This was provided for in a Defence Forces Regulation signed by and under the authority of the Minister for Defence.

The Defence Forces Joint Task Force is based in McKee Barracks and its priority from the beginning has been to provide support to the HSE, while retaining, at all times, a contingent capacity to provide Aid to the Civil Power support. The wide range of supports that the Defence Forces have provided to the HSE, as coordinated by the Joint Task Force during the COVID-19 crisis include:

- operation of the COVID-19 testing centre at the Aviva stadium;

- support for contact tracing efforts;

- transportation by the Air Corps of COVID-19 tests to Germany;

- collection of PPE from more than 260 cargo flights and the ongoing storage and distribution of this PPE to various HSE sites;

- support for HSE testing efforts including through deployment of Naval Service vessels to Dublin, Cork and Galway;

- PPE training to workers at Cork and Waterford harbours by Naval service personnel;

- provision of tentage and marshalling support at various HSE testing sites around the country;

- transportation of patients for testing;

- assistance with the fit out of temporary facilities for the HSE (for example, the HSE facilities at City West and the University of Limerick);

- production and assembly of PPE using 3D printing facilities; and

- the use of lands at Ballymullen Barracks as a COVID-19 testing facility and contact tracing hub.

In addition to supporting the HSE, the Defence Forces have also provided a broad range of supports to other Departments and Agencies. Provision of this support was also coordinated by the Joint Task Force. Examples include:

- Support has been provided to the National Ambulance Service through Defence Forces ambulance and crew supports along with tele-triage supports.

- Support to the Office of Government Procurement through assistance with storage and distribution of PPE.

- Support to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government through the use of lands at Sarsfields Barracks for the location of one of the National Temporary Body Storage Facilities. The Defence Forces were also on standby to provide support if required at the Dublin based National Temporary Body Storage Facility at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

At the end of December 2020, the Defence Forces had deployed a daily average of 183 personnel to support the Covid 19 response.

The Defence Forces are also represented on the High Level Task Force for Covid-19 Vaccination.

With regard to the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine, the Defence Forces are ready to provide transportation supports where required by the HSE.

While the HSE has not requested the Defence Forces assistance in the actual giving of the vaccine to date, the Defence Forces are developing a training protocol for Defence Forces medical personnel as a contingency measure.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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412. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details for his Department for outsourcing to consultancies of specifically Covid-19-related work, services or advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1789/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The table below provides details of external consultants engaged by my Department for Covid-19 related work, services, or advice.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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413. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the instruction by the Department to a school (details supplied) to remain open despite a high number of Covid-19 cases associated with the school. [44759/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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In the case referred to by the Deputy, where a covid-19 positive case connected with a school arose, public health contacted the school and undertook a public health risk assessment to identify the actions required. The response to confirmed cases or outbreaks of Covid-19 in the school was led and managed by Public Health HSE. Schools are advised to follow the recommendations of the public health specialists in these circumstances.

This practice ensures that no principal or board of management is burdened with the responsibility of making public health decisions in relation to their school. The public health response to schools this term has been enhanced by the HSE through the increased resourcing of existing School Teams in each HSE area. A dedicated phone number 'HSE live Covid-19 Principal school line is provided by the HSE for school principals to ring in circumstances where they need assistance from Public Health in relation to a confirmed case of Covid-19 within their school community.

The Department of Education is available to provide support to schools if they have concerns or are unsure of what course of action to take. My Department engages with schools to provide support when dealing with Covid-19.

It should be noted that to date there the public health evidence shows that schools are safe places and that the risk of Covid-19 has been managed very well within the school environment.