Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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303. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that all staff in his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit who, by necessity of their work have to come into close proximity with others, including other employees or members of the public are provided with medical grade masks in the EN14683 category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44376/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My own Department does not have any employees who, by necessity of their work, have to come into close proximity with others. We are operating in line with the Health and Safety Authority guidelines for workplaces and we have configured our office space to allow for 2 metre social distancing of staff who attend the office. We have mandated the use of face coverings in all communal areas including when working in shared spaces, when circulating around the building, in kitchens, bathrooms, meeting rooms, print rooms etc.  We have not specified that staff of the Department are required to use medical grade masks.

A response has been sought from each of the Non-Commerical Agencies under the aegis of my Department in respect of their staff, and when this information has been received and collated, a response will be provided by letter separately.

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in respect of their staff and the staff of the Section 38 agencies under their aegis.