Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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12. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of HSA inspections of meat processing plants that have been carried out for compliance with Covid-19 regulations since 10 September 2020; the number that were unannounced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5242/21]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Between 10 September 2020 and 22 January 2021 the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has completed 150 inspections of meat processing plants, of which 149 inspections were unannounced. 

In addition, as of 22nd of January 2021, Inspectors from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have completed 645 Covid-19 inspections on behalf of the HSA, including unannounced inspections, these inspections are ongoing.

Based on the inspections, inspectors have observed a generally high level of compliance with the recommended measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in a workplace context, in line with the Interim Guidance issued by the National Outbreak Control Team. 

HSA inspections are predominantly made without prior notification, however in some exceptional circumstances prior notification may be appropriate, for example, in support of Public Health management of an outbreak, advanced notification may be required for operational reasons.

The HSA is amember of the National Outbreak Control Team dealing with the COVID-19outbreaks at Meat Process Facilities. Local outbreak control teams havebeen working with the employers and employees of affected facilities tocontrol and reduce the spread of infection. These teams are led by HSEPublic Health departments and are also multi-agency, with representativesfrom environmental health, occupational health, and the Department ofAgriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), and have had good engagement from andco-operation with plant management in responding to outbreaks.Arising from the HSA’s involvement with the outbreak controlteams, a number of inspections have been carried out jointly with publichealth experts from the HSE. The HSA continuesto support and work with public health experts in dealing with COVID-19outbreaks in the meat plants and food processing businesses.

The HSA inspections involved engagementwith on-site personnel including management, health and safety advisors,COVID-19 Lead Worker Representatives, safety representatives and DAFMofficials.  Inspectors also liaised pre- and post-inspection with theChair of the relevant local outbreak control team to ensure effective planning and feedback.