Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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256. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a specific meat processing plant (details supplied) has provided for workers who have recently arrived here to quarantine in line with public health advice before commencing work at the plant; if inspectors from his Department at the plant have oversight knowledge or any regulatory role in relation to workers who have recently arrived in order to ensure public health advice is being followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6186/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department’s statutory responsibility in the context of meat plants is to ensure that the DAFM approved plants operate in compliance with the EU's food hygiene legislation, animal health and animal welfare standards. My Department does not comment on COVID-19 within specific meat production facilities. 

While responsibility for essential workers coming into Ireland does not lie within my Department, COVID-19 Passenger Locator Forms are provided for in Irish law under S.I. 181 of 2020 of the Health Act 1947 and apply to all passengers arriving into Ireland via airports and seaports. These forms must be completed in advance of travel or before arrival at the airport or seaport. Once completed, an email confirmation will be sent to the passenger who must then present this to the Immigration Officer at Passport Control. For public health advice, passengers are referred to the HSE.

From 16th January 2021, all passengers arriving into Ireland must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival into Ireland and, likewise, must present this to the Immigration Officer at Passport Control. Passengers are required to restrict their movements for 14 days after arrival. This requirement can be waived for passengers who have a negative PCR result, taken no less than five days after arrival into Ireland.    

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, primary responsibility for public health policy and implementation rests with the Department of Health and the HSE.  Statutory responsibility for health and safety in the workplace rests with the Health and Safety Authority (under the auspices of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment). Responsibility for the Health and Safety of employees lies with the management of each establishment.

My Department has been assured by meat industry representatives that where any such workers are engaged, they comply with all regulatory requirements.