Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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204. To ask the Minister for Health if he plans to provide funding or support to organisations for the purchase of air purifiers and CO2 monitors in order to facilitate their return to normal activities particularly in the case of organisations frequented mostly by older persons such as bridge clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50310/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Building ventilation has remained one element of the broader infection prevention and control (IPC) response over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. The appreciation of the role of ventilation has evolved in the context of developing experience and evidence, guidance, training, and measures implemented reflects this learning.

It is the responsibility of individual Government departments to provide sector-specific COVID-19 advice on ventilation as per their respective remits. In this regard, The Deputy may wish to enquire with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media as to ventilation guidance and supports provided to specific sectors under its remit.

Furthermore the Deputy’s attention is drawn to some of the published guidance which may be informative:

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has published Guidance on non-healthcare settings: Guidance for non-clinical settings - Health Protection Surveillance Centre (hpsc.ie)

HPSC COVID-19 has published “COVID-19 Guidance for Hospitality Businesses V1.8 01.10.2021”Hospitality guidance.pdf (hpsc.ie)

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

A revised Work Safely Protocol (previously the Return to Work Protocol) was published on 16^thSeptember 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/22829a-return-to-work-safely-protocol/.

The Health and Safety Authority has also published checklists, including one on the topic of ventilation, to support employers preparing for the return of employees to the workplace: www.hsa.ie/eng/topics/covid-19_coronavirus_information_and_resources/.

Fáilte Ireland:

Operational Guidelines | Business Supports | COVID-19 Support Hub | Fáilte Ireland (failteireland.ie)

failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Guidelines-for-Re-opening-Activity-Providers.pdf.

The Arts:

The Arts Council has published a guidance note for the Arts Sector:Covid - 19 Guidance for the Arts Sector (artscouncil.ie)