Written answers

Wednesday, 31 March 2021

Photo of Mick BarryMick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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971. To ask the Minister for Health the names of the companies that have been awarded contracts to manage detention centres related to mandatory Covid-19 quarantine; the cost of these contracts to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16698/21]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Given the necessity to establish the mandatory quarantine services in an expedited timeframe, an initial scoping exercise was conducted, involving a number of market operators. These initial proposals were reviewed based on the capability to deliver the broad suite of services involved, capacity to deliver in an expedited timescale, and the proposed cost models.

The contract was awarded to Tifco based on their capability to deliver the broad suite of services involved, their capacity to deliver in an expedited timescale, and their proposed cost model. The contractual arrangement and cost model agreed with the provider is commercially sensitive.

Photo of Mick BarryMick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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972. To ask the Minister for Health the measures he has taken to ensure that those who are subjected to mandatory quarantine under the Covid-19 quarantine regulations will have access to consular assistance, legal services and medical services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16699/21]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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All guests undergoing mandatory quarantine in a designated facility are being provided with access to a 24/7 on-site healthcare team who hold clinical responsibility for their wellbeing during their stay. The on-site health team are available to address any wellbeing concerns of guests through both scheduled check-ins during a guest's stay as well as through direct engagement if requested. Additionally, the hotel service provider has put in place a number of services to support guest wellbeing, such as guided exercise and yoga programmes, music playlists and access to the hotel's entertainment services.

Guests who wish to access other services, such as consular services or private legal services, may arrange to do so through normal channels. The hotel service provider will endeavour to facilitate any requests for assistance in accessing such channels, such as by arranging for translation services if requested.

The State Liaison Officer (SLO) will have staff onsite 24/7 at each designated facility to liaise between guests and the service provider if required.

Photo of Mick BarryMick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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973. To ask the Minister for Health the training that those working in the detention facilities related to Covid-19 quarantine will be obliged to undertake; if there will be an obligation for human rights training, cultural awareness training and mental health awareness training; if a certain cohort of the staff will have medical training and language skills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16700/21]

Photo of Mick BarryMick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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974. To ask the Minister for Health if he will oblige the managers of Covid-19 quarantine detention centres to report on occasions when they refuse access to medical treatment for a detainee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16701/21]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Guests will not be refused appropriate medical treatment during their stay at a designated quarantine facility. The well-being of guests within the mandatory quarantine system is a priority of all organisations supporting the system and is monitored by the 24/7 on-site healthcare team as well as by the State Liaison Officer, the hotel service provider and the HSE.

All guests undergoing mandatory quarantine in a designated facility are being provided with access to a 24/7 on-site healthcare team who hold clinical responsibility for their well-being during their stay. The on-site healthcare team are available to address any well-being concerns of guests through both scheduled daily check-in calls during a guest's stay as well as through direct engagement if requested. Guests requiring any specific, urgent or emergency care which cannot be provided on-site at a hotel may also be referred to a dedicated medical facility by the on-site healthcare team.

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