Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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1368. To ask the Minister for Health the due diligence his Department and the HSE took to ensure that any personal protective equipment procured by the State during the Covid-19 pandemic had not been made using slave or forced labour and was of a sufficient standard to ensure a proper protection level in view of a report in the UK (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42594/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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1369. To ask the Minister for Health his advice regarding school children under 13 years of age having to wear a mask (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42595/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is advised that the NPHET for COVID-19 is currently considering updated advice provided by the HIQA on the policy question:

“Should the minimum age for the application of mask wearing requirements and recommendations be reduced?"

The HIQA issued previous advice to the NPHET on this matter on 8 April and 3 March 2021 respectively, available here: www.hiqa.ie/reports-and-publications/health-technology-assessment/reducing-minimum-age-mask-wearing

For both the advice issued on 3 March and 8 April 2021, and subsequently endorsed by the NPHET, the HIQA recommended that there should be no change in the minimum age for requirements and recommendations with respect to mask use in the community. In making this recommendation, it was recognised that the potential benefits of a requirement or recommendation for children to wear face masks must outweigh concerns regarding potential harms associated with face mask use.

The NPHET will consider the latest updated HIQA advice at its next meeting, scheduled for mid-September. The Minister for Health will be informed of the NPHET’s recommendation(s) on same in the usual manner after the NPHET meeting.