Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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1202. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address concerns that Covid swabbers who are due for redeployment after 21 November 2022, will be unpaid during the Christmas period; if he can confirm that all swabbers whose contracts end on 21 November 2022 will be redeployed; the criteria that was applied to determine the contracts which would be extended through to 23 January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55412/22]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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1228. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55503/22]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1231. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide clarity on reports that Covid testing services in counties Louth and Meath will cease from 22 November 2022; the plans to deal with expected surges in winter Covid numbers, given that the National Ambulance Service is already under-resourced to adequately deal with such large numbers of testing in the large populations' centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55532/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1202, 1228 and 1231 together.

I have accepted updated advice from the Chief Medical Officer relating to COVID-19 Testing, Tracing and Surveillance which has also been approved by the Government.

In the coming weeks, the HSE will be adopting a targeted approach for COVID-19 testing which will be based on a clinical assessment where a clinician requires the result to contribute to the diagnosis and management of an individual patient. Swabbing will be undertaken by GPs in these circumstances. Testing will also take place where deemed necessary by Public Health in relation to the management of an outbreak or specific public health risk.

Based on the revised public health advice, community swabbing will no longer be a feature of our COVID-19 response as testing will no longer be recommended for the general population. The implementation of this advice will reduce the scale of testing and contact tracing around the country and is leading to consolidation of resources in the period ahead, including the closure of community testing facilities which will no longer be required. The HSE has also developed extensive plans for surge and emergency responses for future requirements for testing and tracing should that need be identified. This includes additional resources that I have provided to the National Ambulance Service to recruit permanent Intermediate Care Operatives who will be deployed for swabbing purposes should the need arise to reintroduce community swabbing in the future but who will be deployed on ambulance service duties in the meantime.

The contractual arrangements relating to staff employed by the HSE as community swabbers is an operational matter which is the responsibility of the HSE. I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible in relation to this matter.

The approach to COVID-19 testing is facilitated by the high level of vaccine-induced and naturally acquired population immunity in Ireland. This is mitigating against the worst impacts of infection.

I have also provided additional resources to the HSE to ensure enhancements are put in place to existing infectious disease surveillance systems. This will ensure effective monitoring and signalling of what is happening with the virus at population level, and so that we can understand disease transmission and severity along with population immunity and risk.

The pandemic is not over, and COVID-19 is still a concern so testing remains an important part of our ongoing response to the disease for individuals vulnerable to its effects and for whom testing is indicated. For everybody, continuing to follow our public health advice available on hse.ie is still important. Anybody who has symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate until 48 hours after the symptoms are mostly or fully gone. Anybody who has concerns about an underlying condition or their level of risk in relation to COVID-19 is advised to seek advice from their GP or treating clinician.

My Department, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) and the National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL), overseen by the Chief Medical Officer, continue to review the COVID-19 epidemiological situation in Ireland and internationally. This includes the on-going close monitoring of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and assessment of any potential threat to population health.

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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1203. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that some community Covid-19 swabbers have been advised their employment will cease in November 2022, despite assurances of redeployment and agreements related to pay and conditions; and if action will be taken to ensure that those impacted will continue in employment. [55416/22]

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.