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

3299. To ask the Minister for Health the arrangements for the enforcement of the regulations in respect of indoor hospitality; the details of the role to be played by An Garda Síochána, the environmental health officers and the health and safety inspectors; the specific additional resources which will be provided to these agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41277/21]

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

The Health Act 1947 (Sections 31AB and 31AD) (Covid-19) (Operation of certain indoor premises) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 385 of 2021) provides for the reopening of indoor hospitality from 26th July 2021.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) have been named as relevant bodies under the Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2021 (No. 24 of 2021). Section 31AD(1) of this Act allows for these bodies to designate compliance officers.

Compliance officers are empowered to carry out checks to determine whether the indoor operator is complying with the regulations. Compliance officers also have the power to inform An Garda Síochána of failures to comply with the regulations as well as the power to take the matter to the Courts if necessary. However, it must be emphasised that the primary objective is to encourage compliance with the regulations to ensure that hospitality can reopen in a safe manner, and most importantly that it can remain open. It is also important to remember that while the HSE and HSA have a role in verifying compliance, the operators of indoor hospitality businesses have a key role in enabling and supporting the safe operation of the system and I am confident that the vast majority of operators will approach matters on this basis.

The HSE Environmental Health Service is continuing to carry out additional activities/functions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic through existing resources, on a risk priority basis.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment advises me that the HSA will utilise its existing cohort of inspectors to carry out its role under the regulations. The HSA is currently progressing a recruitment campaign to increase the number of staff in inspector roles, with additional inspectors having already joined the HSA in the last month.

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media has advised me that Fáilte Ireland has produced detailed updated guidelines for the tourism and hospitality sector to coincide with the re-opening of indoor hospitality and has also developed support materials for hospitality businesses to communicate with their customers, which are available on their website. In addition, Fáilte Ireland continues to operate its COVID safety charter. Businesses who sign up to this voluntary charter are subject to spot checks by Fáilte Ireland to confirm that the business is complying with all public health protocols and Government Guidelines and that all employees have undertaken infection prevention control training.

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

3301. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the statement that there is currently no strong evidence to suggest that SARS-CoV-2 is spread through airborne transmission remains on the HSE website; and if he will ensure that it is replaced by accurate guidance without further delay. [41282/21]

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

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

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

3302. To ask the Minister for Health the details of the ventilation guidance and regulations applying to the hospitality industry; the requirement in respect of CO2 monitors and the arrangements for enforcement in this regard. [41283/21]

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

It is the responsibility of individual Government Departments to provide sector-specific COVID-19 advice on ventilation as per their respective remits. In this instance the provision of guidance for the hospitality sector is a matter for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and I suggest that the Deputy direct questions accordingly.

While it remains the responsibility of individual Government Departments to provide sector-specific COVID-19 advice on ventilation, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has published Guidance on Non-Healthcare Building Ventilation during COVID-19, that may be of interest to the Deputy more generally. The Guidance provides broad recommendations and information, based on the literature, for commercial and public buildings that may be used in the development of sector specific guidance:

www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/infectionpreventionandcontrolguidance/buildingsandfacilitiesguidance/#d.en.20148

The reports of the Expert Group on the Role of Ventilation are also available to support the development of sector specific guidance by other Government departments:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/aa43c-exper- group-on-the-role-of-ventilation-in-reducing-transmission-of-covid-19/

For convenience I have also provided details of guidance published by other Departments and their agencies, questions related to any of the published guidance below should be directed to the appropriate Government Department:

- Education sector:

- www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/educationguidance/Guidance%20on%20non%20HCbuilding%20ventilation%20during%20COVID-19.pdf

- www.gov.ie/en/publication/ad236-guidance-on-ventilation-in-schools

- Workplaces, Businesses (including hospitality), Retails Settings, and Shopping Centres:

- A revised Work Safely Protocol (previously the Return to Work Protocol) was published on 14th May 2021 as a collaborative effort between employers and employees, which was led by the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Health, with the support of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and with significant input by public health from the Health Service Executive (HSE). The revised Protocol incorporates the current advice on the Public Health measures needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community and workplaces including enhanced detail on ventilation: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bb7fd-work-safely-protocol/

- www.nsai.ie/images/uploads/general/NSAI-COVID19-Retail-Guidelines-13012021.pdf or www.nsai.ie/images/uploads/general/NSAI-COVID19-Shopping-Centre-Guidelines-13012021.pdf

- Fáilte Ireland: Overview Guidelines to Reopening - failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Overview-Guidelines-to-Re-opening.pdf

- Fáilte Ireland: Guidelines for Reopening Restaurants and Cafes failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Guidelines-for-Re-opening-Restaurants-and-Cafes.pdf

- Fáilte Ireland: Guidelines for Reopening Hotels and Guesthouses - failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Guidelines-for-Re-opening-Hotels-and-Guesthouses.pdf

- There is als- additional guidance on Gov.ie and on the HSE website which outlines the importance of ventilation in households, this can be found here:

- www.gov.ie/en/publication/472f64-covid-19-coronavirus-guidance-and-advice/ to www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/how-coronavirus-is-spread.html