Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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922. To ask the Minister for Health if the 5 km limit for persons leaving home other than for essential purposes during the current lockdown permits driving within the 5 km radius; if not, if persons are restricted to walking within 5 km; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7264/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As you will be aware, Ireland is at level 5 of Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19. This 5-level framework sets out what is permitted for social or family gatherings, work and public transport, bars, hotels and restaurants, exercise activities and religious services, at that moment in time.

The measures in place for each level reflect the prevailing disease situation and recognise that we can and must prioritise some activities over others.

Under the current public health measures at level 5, you should stay at home except for travel for work, education or other essential purposes and are permitted to take exercise within 5km of home. Further information on travel restrictions within Ireland is available here:-

You may wish to note that S.I. No. 29 of 2021 introduced further restriction on travel within Ireland. It is now an offence to leave your home to travel to a port or airport to leave the State without a reasonable excuse and an increased fine of €500 will apply for this offence. In addition, and from 1 February, a person whose place of residence is outside the State may not travel in the State without reasonable excuse, which does not include a reasonable excuse of exercising within 5km of your place of residence for people whose place of residence is outside the State. This is a penal provision and a fixed penalty notice €100 applies.

It is important to emphasise, that any essential travel should be undertaken with due regard to public health safety measures.

Statutory Instruments related to the Covid-19 pandemic are available here:

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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923. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 859 of 3 February 2021, if he will report on the areas of the question on the pandemic intersectoral and international policy unit in his Department which were not answered the first time, namely the aims and actions of the unit; the cost of the unit; if minutes are available to Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7273/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In response to COVID-19 the pandemic intersectoral and international policy unit was established with the aim of representing the Department of Health in cross government and international discussions including in relation to international travel measures.

As part of this effort the unit actions involve Passenger Locator Form regulations, operations, and data sharing, in addition to coordination support for international engagement including the EU Health Security Committee and the EU Integrated Political Crisis Response Arrangements. The unit has and will continue to take action in response to intersectoral and other ad-hoc issues as needed.

Due to the agile and responsive nature of the unit, team meetings are on an as needed basis, involving part or all the team as required. As these are internal meetings, which deal with the daily activities and actions of the unit, they are not formally minuted.

There is currently one Principal Officer, three Assistant Principal Officers, two Higher Executive Officers, one Administrative Officer and one Executive Officer on the unit.

Salary scales outline in the table below: