Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

652. To ask the Minister for Health the amount of medical aid being supplied to India in tabular form; his plans to increase same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23201/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland is committed to global solidarity in combatting the spread of Covid-19. In recent weeks Ireland has responded rapidly to mobilise assistance to India in response to the worsening COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

To-date Ireland has sent two consignments of life-saving equipment to India:

- An emergency donation of 700 oxygen concentrators sent on 28^thApril arrived in Delhi last week.

- A further donation of two oxygen generators, 365 ventilators, 60 mask ventilators and an additional 548 concentrators has arrived in India on 4^thMay.

Both donations were made using stocks originally purchased by the HSE as part of pandemic preparations.

This support is part of the coordinated effort by EU Member States currently underway to provide a collaborative response following India’s request for assistance. Ireland was one of the first countries in the EU to provide practical support in response to the request for assistance.

The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (part of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage) is coordinating Ireland’s aid effort, through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, working with the Department of Health, the HSE, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Irish Aid, the Department of Transport, the Revenue Commissioners and others.

Ireland is committed to continuing to contribute to the global fight to combat Covid-19.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

653. To ask the Minister for Health the criteria used to confirm whether persons in group 9 who are living or working in crowded settings includes prisons; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23204/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In its latest review, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has considered, with the support of a HIQA evidence review, those who meet the criteria of living and/or working in conditions which make social distancing difficult and have identified certain groups who are at higher risk of severe disease.

The composition of this cohort, on the basis that the NIAC has advised that there is an established higher risk of infection and severe disease for these groups, has been confirmed as follows:

1. Travellers;

2. Roma Community; and

3. Addiction Service Users.

The Vaccine Allocation Strategy will be kept under review and may be amended as a result of changes to existing evidence and/or the epidemiological situation. The HSE is currently considering how best to rollout the COVID-19 vaccination programme to reach these groups.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

654. To ask the Minister for Health if a child under the age of 16 years must enter mandatory hotel quarantine if coming into the country from a designated country and accompanied by fully vaccinated parents or guardians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23218/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Mandatory hotel quarantine has been introduced as one element of Ireland’s public health measures to combat the transmission of COVID-19 variants of concern.

The Health Act 1947, as amended, provides that all persons arriving in Ireland from a designated state, or having travelled through a designated state in the previous 14 days, are required to undergo mandatory quarantine in a designated facility unless they are an exempted traveller under the Act.

Unaccompanied minors who have travelled from or through a designated state in the 14 days prior to arrival in Ireland will not be permitted to enter a mandatory quarantine facility alone.

Their adult guardian can enter mandatory hotel quarantine with them; however, if this is not possible a responsible adult collecting the unaccompanied minor must sign a guardian release letter undertaking in writing the legal responsibility for ensuring that, the unaccompanied minor, will complete the mandatory 14 day quarantine at a specified address and that it is possible to effectively isolate at the said address.

In instances where an unaccompanied minor is arriving in Ireland to attend boarding school, a school representative must present themselves to Irish Immigration authorities with proper identification and on arrival, they will fill in, sign and return the Guardian Release Letter to the Irish immigration official.

Any unaccompanied minor who requires state care will be taken into the care of Túsla and complete their mandatory quarantine at a separate facility.

The Government continues to evaluate wider policy on international travel as informed by the epidemiological situation and public health advice.

In this context, passengers who are fully vaccinated and have the documents to confirm this are no longer required to complete mandatory hotel quarantine on arrival in Ireland. Dependents, including children, will also be exempted from the requirement to complete mandatory hotel quarantine in this instance. Please note that the 4 EMA approved vaccines currently accepted have specific definitions for when a person would be considered fully vaccinated.

Passengers who are fully vaccinated and exempt from hotel quarantine are still subject to other travel restrictions, such as the need to provide a negative pre-departure PCR test and complete a period of self-quarantine at home or at the address specified in their passenger locator form.

Neither I as Minister for Health nor my Department have a role in decisions relating to whether individual persons must enter mandatory quarantine or whether individual persons are exempted travellers. All such decisions are to be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

Further information can be accessed on www.gov.ie/quarantine.