Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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287. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 336 of 14 January 2021, if additional measures will be introduced in co-ordination with the authorities in Northern Ireland to ensure that restrictions on travel are strictly implemented regardless of persons being ordinarily resident in this State or not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4900/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020 (SI No. 701 of 2020) came into operation on 30 December, 2020. These Regulations provide that a person may not leave their place of residence without reasonable excuse. The regulations define place of residence for people resident in the State and people not ordinarily resident in the State. In relation to a person who is not ordinarily resident in the State, the regulations define place of residence as the premises in the State, if any, at which he or she is currently residing, whether on a permanent or temporary basis. The Deputy will be aware that the Government is drawing up measures to tighten restrictions on travel into and out of the State as a matter of urgency.

I am aware of the risks posed to the entire island by international travel during the pandemic and will continue discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive and UK Government on opportunities for increased alignment and common outcomes on travel issues more generally.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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288. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the travel restrictions which apply in law to citizens of the Republic of Ireland under regulations governed by the provisions of section 31A of the Health Act 1947 cannot as it stands, be applied and enforced to restrict the movements of, for example, Northern Ireland residents and others who are not residents of the Republic of Ireland; his views on whether the relevant regulations must be amended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4902/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020 (SI No. 701 of 2020) came into operation on 30 December, 2020. These Regulations provide that a person may not leave their place of residence without reasonable excuse. The regulations define place of residence for people resident in the State and people not ordinarily resident in the State. In relation to a person who is not ordinarily resident in the State, the regulations define place of residence as the premises in the State, if any, at which he or she is currently residing, whether on a permanent or temporary basis. The Deputy will be aware that the Government is drawing up measures to tighten restrictions on travel into and out of the State as a matter of urgency.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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289. To ask the Minister for Health the additional mental health supports available to front-line health workers given they are now in the midst of the greatest pressures they have faced since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and while exhausted continue to persevere, despite high levels of stress and anxiety, to protect the public and keep the health service from collapse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4907/21]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.