Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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635. To ask the Minister for Health if he is familiar with a recent Cochrane study (details supplied) a meta-analysis of seventy-eight studies including over a million people, which has concluded that "face coverings make little to no difference" in Covid infection and fatality rates; whether this will inform his Department's advice in relation to the wearing of face coverings at present; and whether it will inform policy for the outbreaks of future respiratory viruses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8449/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Cochrane evidence review published on 30th January 2023 has been reported in some media reports as having identified no evidence that mask wearing makes a difference to COVID-19 transmission. However, it is important to note the principal conclusions of the report were that the quality of evidence was poor, with a high risk of bias in the trials reviewed, variation in outcome measurement and relatively low adherence with the measures studied. The report concluded therefore that this hampers drawing firm conclusions and the true effect may be different from that observed.

The consistent advice of international bodies such as the ECDC and the WHO is that there is a range of evidence, of low to moderate certainty, to indicate that the use of face masks provides a small to moderate protective effect against COVID-19 in the community, both in terms of personal protection as well as source control (protection of others).

The Department of Health, through the Office of the Chief Medical Officer, continues to closely monitor evolving evidence on COVID-19 and provide evidence-based public health advice to the Minister for Health for consideration in relation to ongoing decision-making processes in respect of the pandemic.

Current public health advice, including that in relation to face masks, continues to be informed by World Health Organization (WHO) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) guidance.

The fundamental principles of good respiratory and hand hygiene, physical distancing and mask wearing are still important aspects of protecting ourselves from acquiring COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. Mask wearing is advised on public transport and in healthcare settings. Mask wearing is also advised based on individual risk assessment.