Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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317. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the issue of travellers from Dubai, Portugal and other locations using Dublin Airport as a back door into the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7821/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has agreed a mechanism with our Northern Ireland counterpart whereby Ireland’s Passenger Locator Form system will be used to contact international passengers who travel through Ireland to Northern Ireland, to advise them of their requirement to fill in a UK passenger locator form and informing them of specific public health advice. This will commence this week.

Discussions with Northern Irish authorities to establish a data sharing agreement which will enable the sharing of data collected from Irish Passenger Locator Forms, in relation to travellers transiting to Northern Ireland from outside the common travel area, to support their public health efforts are at an advanced stage.

Continuing close consideration is being given by Government to policy on travel measures.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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318. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on preparations for the introduction of mandatory hotel quarantine; the estimated number being planned for; the body or agency which will oversee the procurement of accommodation, transport, security and so on; the timescale to which he is working for the necessary legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7824/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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A mandatory home quarantine regime for all travellers arriving from overseas, including international passengers arriving via Northern Ireland, has come into force in order to mitigate risks posed by variants of concern.

The operationalisation of designated quarantine facilities is being advanced on a cross-departmental basis as a matter of priority, including the drafting of primary legislation to provide for these facilities.

My Department is leading a group from across government and agencies to progress policy and legislation and the operational requirements for designated quarantine facilities.

This work is supported by officials from across a number of Departments including Foreign Affairs, Transport, Justice, Public Expenditure and Reform, as well as Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. This group is working urgently to establish the scope of services required to put these facilities in place, including the necessary procurement and legislative basis.