Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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948. To ask the Minister for Health if the notification rate is a factor in the decision around which countries to include on the high-risk category 2 countries for inclusion on the quarantine list for entry into the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16654/21]

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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949. To ask the Minister for Health if the test positivity rate is a factor in the decision around which countries to include on the high-risk category 2 countries for inclusion on the quarantine list for entry into the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16655/21]

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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950. To ask the Minister for Health if the testing rate is a factor in the decision around which countries to include on the high-risk category 2 countries for inclusion on the quarantine list for entry into the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16656/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 948 to 950, inclusive, together.

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 designated as designated states in line with the Health Amendment Act 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 designated states is subject to review on an ongoing basis.