Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

464. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which his Department or the HSE have examined the use of air purification units in buildings or vehicles in line with the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions; if any examination has been carried out into the effectiveness of such units and the way they might best be deployed to assist in the defeat of Covid-19 as persons return to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25479/21]

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

As the Deputy may be aware, a national Work Safely Protocol (previously the Return to Work Protocol) has been developed as a collaborative effort, led by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and involving primarily the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), with significant input by public health from the Health Service Executive (HSE). The Protocol sets out the minimum measures required in every place of work to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to facilitate the re-opening of workplaces following temporary closures and the ongoing safe operation of those workplaces.

Revisions to the protocol are being finalised and will include enhanced detail on ventilation including guidance on assessing ventilation in the workplace and general advice in relation to mechanical ventilation. I understand the updated Work Safely Protocol will be published shortly.

The Deputy’s attention is also drawn to the Health Protection and Surveillance Centre’s (HPSC) ‘Guidance on non-healthcare building ventilation during COVID-19: V2.0’, last updated on 22 January 2021, and noted by the NPHET for COVID-19 on 21 January, in advance of its publication: