Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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256. To ask the Minister for Health the reason public health bodies are not being instructed to resume close contact tracing and informing close contacts due to the high level of numbers in primary and secondary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56421/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In line with recommendations from the National Public Health Emergency Team, it was agreed that from September 27th 2021, automatic contact tracing of asymptomatic close contacts in children aged over 3 months and less than 13 years, in Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) facilities, primary education and social and sporting groups was no longer recommended.

The recommendations which have come into effect are based on evidential learning from throughout the pandemic, primarily

- Children seem more likely than adults to have no symptoms or to have mild disease

- Investigation of cases identified in school settings suggests that child to child transmission in schools is uncommon and not the primary cause of Sars-CoV-2 infection in children, particularly in pre-school and primary educational settings

- Children are rarely identified as the route of transmission of infection into the household setting

- Children are not more likely than adults to spread infection to other people.

As case numbers increase in younger age groups, the situation in our schools continues to be monitored closely in consultation with the Department of Education. I am reviewing all available options for the further protection of children in our schools. Following advice from the Chief Medical Officer, I have requested that the HSE, liaising as appropriate with the Department of Education, establish a programme of rapid antigen testing of close contacts in specific primary school settings in response to the notification of COVID-19 cases, guided by agreed thresholds and criteria informed by recently published ECDC guidance on the management of close contacts.

Asymptomatic child household close contacts aged 13 years or less continue to be advised by the HSE to restrict their movements (stay at home) and the HSE will arrange PCR testing as appropriate. Asymptomatic children aged 13 or older (which includes children of secondary school age) who are fully vaccinated close contacts are already included in the HSE programme in which close contacts are provided with antigen tests for self-testing. Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 is advised to immediately self-isolate and seek a PCR test through the HSE.

Further information is available in the Guidance for COVID-19 Contact Tracing for Children (>3 months to under 13 years of age) published by the Health Protection and Surveillance Centre, available at www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/educationguidance/Contact%20tracing%20under%2013s.pdf

The role of testing and contact tracing, as part of the wider public health response, has been under ongoing review throughout the pandemic and will continue to be reviewed and amended in line with the epidemiological profile of the disease, its impact on healthcare utilisation and outcomes, the vaccination status of the population and ECDC guidance.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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257. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider resuming both local and national radio and television Covid-19 awareness campaigns based on the latest public health figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56422/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Health will be launching a new campaign in the coming days. #LayerUp will be a social media and public material campaign encouraging the public to ‘Layer Up’ their protections against COVID-19. Advice on all the layers available will be displayed including vaccine, face covering, social distance, indoor ventilation, hand hygiene, etc. The #LayerUp campaign will be promoted across Government, stakeholders and will be visible in public facing premises.

Additionally, the Department conducts regular media briefings and interviews.

The HSE has also launched a new TV and radio advertising campaign, covering two themes:

1. Thank you – stay at home if you have symptoms.This campaign aims to strengthen people‘s response when they’re sick. To keep others safe we ask you to stay at home when sick, and act quickly on symptoms and get a COVID-19 test.

2. Heads Up - Keep protecting yourself and others from COVID-19

These campaigns are on TV and radio throughout winter, along with digital out of home advertising, digital marketing on all social media platforms, search and websites, and cinema advertising during November and December.

Health Services and Self-care

Winter communications programme also includes ongoing updates and messaging from our health services, including practical advice on self-care for common winter illnesses, advice for people with chronic illness on being winter-ready, and information on how to access the care you need when you need it. This will be supported by a programme of news media interviews, social media and other public and staff communications over the coming weeks and months.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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258. To ask the Minister for Health if antigen tests will be supplied to preschools and crèches for testing close contacts of a confirmed Covid-19 case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56423/21]

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.