Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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174. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prosecutions for breaches of Covid-19 regulations in 2020 and to date in 2021. [57980/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, prosecutions are a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is independent in her functions under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 (as amended).

I am advised by the Garda authorities that it is not possible to provide the number of prosecutions for breaches of Covid-19 regulations in 2020 and to date in 2021.

I am further advised that the number of proceedings which have commenced between the period of 8 April 2020 up to 23 October 2021 in relation to breaches of Health Act 1947 is 1,016.

It should be noted, however, that the above information is not equivalent to the number of prosecutions as a case summons/listed may not reach prosecution for a number of reasons, such as being struck out/person not attending Court on the date specified, etc.

The Deputy may be interested to note that the above information is also available on the Garda website at the following link:

garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/office-of-corporate-communications/news-media/coronavirus-covid-19-.html#COVID-19%20Related%20Statistics