Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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1193. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the removal of yoga studios from class exemptions during level 3 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42072/21]

Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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1228. To ask the Minister for Health when yoga studios will be allowed to re-open (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42131/21]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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1247. To ask the Minister for Health when yoga instruction and classes will be permitted to reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42201/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1193, 1228 and 1247 together.

As outlined in COVID-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting, which was announced by Government on 31 August, organised indoor group activities including sports and dance classes can take place from 20 September with capacity limits of 100 people (with appropriate protective measures) where all patrons are immune (fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 within previous 6 months) or accompanied minors (under 18). Where patrons have mixed immunity status, pods of up to 6 participants will be permitted with multiple pods permitted subject to protective measures.

Based on the criteria of at or close to 90% of people 16 or over being fully vaccinated and having regard to the incidence and behaviour of the disease at that time, from 22 October onwards remaining restrictions on indoor sports activities and other indoor leisure/community activities and certification of immunity or testing as a prerequisite for access to, or engagement in, any activities or events (with exception of international travel) will be lifted.

Since the onset of the pandemic, we have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease on society in Ireland due to the huge effort of people across the country. Thanks to the hard work of the Irish people and the progress of our vaccination programme, we are now entering a new phase in the management of the pandemic. As our approach to the management of COVID-19 transitions from population wide restrictions to guidance we must continue to practice basic preventative behaviours, including in relation to self-isolation and restricting movements when advised, observing good respiratory and hand hygiene, physical distancing and mask wearing when appropriate.

COVID-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting can be found online: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/f5291-post-cabinet-statement-covid-19-reframing-the-challenge-continuing-our-recovery-and-reconnecting/

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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1194. To ask the Minister for Health the total spending and the breakdown of spending on the Covid-19 response since March 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42073/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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COVID-19 Expenditure 2020

The budget allocation for spending on COVID-19 measures by the Department of Health through the HSE in 2020 was €2,511m (comprising €2,291m current and €220m capital).

The HSE’s allocation for COVID-19 measures in 2020 of €2,511m included: €920m for personal protective equipment; €330m for private hospital capacity; €292m for COVID-19 testing & contact tracing; €190m for acute hospitals; €140m for GP services; €80m for the Temporary Payment Assistance Scheme for private nursing homes; €76m for payment of student nurses and medical interns; €45m for accommodation and isolation facilities; €218m for other current measures including community costs, disability services, hospices, the National Ambulance Service and other miscellaneous supports; and €220m for capital measures including €125m for buildings and related equipment, €45m for other equipment, €32m for ventilators and €18m for ICT.

The actual COVID-19 related expenditure incurred in 2020 was in line with these budget allocations.

COVID-19 Expenditure 2021

The budget allocation for spending on COVID-19 measures by the Department of Health through the HSE in 2021 is €1,831m (comprising €1,676m current and €155m capital). In addition to this allocation, a contingency fund of €240m held by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is available to be re-allocated to the HSE for COVID-related measures if required, bringing the total funding available to the HSE in 2021 to €2,071m. A further amount of €50m has been allocated to the Department of Health for non-HSE related COVID expenditure in 2021, bringing the total allocation for all COVID-related measures in 2021 to €2,121m.

The HSE’s allocation for COVID-19 measures in 2021 of €1,831m includes: €450m for personal protective equipment; €200m for the COVID vaccination programme; €445m for testing & contact tracing (excluding €205m available from DPER contingency if required); €210m for the Access to Care Fund; €42m for the Temporary Payment Assistance Scheme for private nursing homes; €329m for other current measures including home care, mental health supports, disability services, cancer restoration services, homelessness services, GP costs, hospices and infection prevention & control; and €155m for capital measures includes €130m for building, equipping and furnishing of health facilities and €25m for ICT.

An estimate of the actual COVID-19 related expenditure incurred by the HSE in 2021 to date is reported regularly to the Department. The latest estimated weekly expenditure data to 6 August 2021 indicates that of the HSE's €1,831m COVID allocation, the spend to date is as follows: €173m for personal protective equipment; €177m for the COVID vaccination programme (spend to end June); €357m for testing & contact tracing; €86m for the Private Hospital Safety Net 2 Agreement; €40m for the Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme to support private nursing homes; €23m for Infection Prevention & Control; €408m for other current measures including acute hospitals supports, home care, mental health supports, disability services, cancer restoration services, homelessness services, GP costs, hospices; and €65m for capital costs. As noted, these figures are estimates of expenditure based on the latest available information which is subject to change.

The non-HSE related allocation of €50m for COVID measures held by the Department includes: €30m for the National Treatment Purchase Fund; €10m for costs related to the ePassenger Locator Form; €5.0m for the Healthy Ireland programme; and €5.0m for HIQA’s Nursing Home Expert Review in relation to the COVID-19 response. The Department incurred costs of approximately €9m to end June 2021. The contingency fund of €240m held by DPER has not yet been drawn down.