Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

900. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons who arrived in Ireland in each week of January 2021 who did not have a PCR test 72 hours before departure; the number of completed passenger locator forms; the number who received a follow-up call and the nature of the follow-up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5984/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Since 9^thof January 2021 all passengers arriving into Ireland whose journey originated in either Great Britain or South Africa are required to have a negative/not detected result from a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test carried out not more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland. From 16^thof January 2021 this requirement was extended to all passengers (except for those arriving from Northern Ireland).

There were a total of 314 PCR breaches between the 9^th and 28^thof January 2021 inclusive. Please refer to the Department of Justice for any further information in relation to this.

Between 1st and 24th January 86,459 passengers completed a passenger locator form. Passengers who did not claim an exemption were followed up and contacted by text to confirm their address. Where a passenger has not responded to the address verification text, they will be called to verify their place of address. If they are not available at the first call, further attempts may be made to contact each passenger who is in scope for follow up calls, from the information provided 86% of passengers requested to do so confirmed their place of residence.