Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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218. To ask the Minister for Health the grounds for selection in respect of the 33 category 2 countries for travel purposes; the supporting data in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16187/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The clear Government and public health advice is that everybody should avoid non-essential travel.

An Expert Advisory Group on Travel was recently established and has taken a risk-based approach to inform recommendations to the Chief Medical Officer, who in turn advises the Minister for Health on countries to be specified as category 2 under the current Regulations (S.I. No. 44 of 2021). This approach considers the risk of sustained human transmission of COVID-19, as measured by the 14-day incidence in that country relative to that in Ireland, in addition to the risk of importation of a variant of concern and/or variant of interest based on the actual or potential prevalence of such variants.

The list of category 2 countries is subject to review on an ongoing basis.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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219. To ask the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 cases detected in persons arriving into the country on overseas flights in January, February and March 2021; the breakdown of each country from which the infected cases came; and if breaches of the mandatory quarantine regulations have been detected since they were introduced in February 2021. [16189/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is informed by the Department of Justice that 590 checks on persons quarantining at home were conducted between 24 February and 14 March.

In relation to the data sought on imported cases, my Department will revert to the Deputy directly as soon as the data can be collated.

Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change)
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220. To ask the Minister for Health the locations in which Covid-19 infections are initiating; the breakdown of same; the number of positive infections from 1 March to 22 March 2021; and the locations and groups in which infections are initiating, for example in workplaces, students, indoor gatherings, outdoor gatherings, retail, schools and so on. [16190/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.