Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

874. To ask the Minister for Health the details of all NPHET recommendations conveyed to him in respect of meat processing plants and the food processing industry since 1 October 2020; the actions undertaken by his Department on foot of each of these recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7057/21]

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

In August, following the emergence of clusters in Meat Processing Plants in the midlands, NPHET made a series of recommendations to support the affected workplaces and for the protection of vulnerable groups.

This included the establishment by the HSE of a National Standing Oversight Committee on COVID-19 to maintain an ongoing review of the impact of COVID-19 in high risk industries. This Committee has representation from the agencies involved in outbreak oversight in the affected industries, as well as representation from the relevant industries.

The HSE has undertaken a number of measures, including:

- National guidance on the management of outbreaks was first developed in May 2020 and has been updated twice since then.

- Meat plants which have current outbreaks receive Public Health advice on management of the outbreak from their local HSE Dept of Public Health

- Translated information on Covid 19 is available from the HSE. Translators are used as required during HSE contact tracing.

- HSE serial testing of staff in meat plants is on a four-weekly cycle.

- DAFM is assisting the HSE with an evaluation of rapid antigen testing in a small number of meat processing plants comparing the results of rapid antigen testing with PCR testing.

The letters detailing the NPHET recommendations are available at:

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

875. To ask the Minister for Health the number of meat and food processing plants at which serial testing has occurred since 1 October 2020, by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7058/21]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

878. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department is aware of instances in which meat processing plants have not alerted public health if they are informed of, or suspect, cases of Covid-19 among their workforce since December 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7061/21]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

879. To ask the Minister for Health the dates serial testing for Covid-19 occurred at locations (details supplied) from September 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7062/21]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

880. To ask the Minister for Health if the testing that occurred for Covid-19 at locations (details supplied) occurred as part of a scheduled serial testing programme or in response to an individual confirmed case. [7063/21]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 875 and 878 to 880, inclusive, together.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

876. To ask the Minister for Health the environmental sampling that has been carried out in meat processing plants in which an outbreak of Covid-19 has occurred since 1 January 2020; the results of such sampling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7059/21]

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

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.