Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
1094. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the consideration given to those who are hearing impaired and the challenges facing them with facemasks that prevent lip reading and other facial tics that assist them in understanding interactions [15059/20]
View answerI would like to assure the Deputy that my Department appreciates the concerns raised around face coverings with regard to those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
I understand that the Irish Deaf Society and Chime, in partnership with the HSE, have prepared resources for use by healthcare workers and deaf or hard of hearing patients and there has been collaboration on guidelines for staff, communication supports and videos in Irish Sign Language. Further information can be found at the following link: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/partner-resources/covid-19-irish-sign-language-isl-resources/covid-19-irish-sign-language-isl-resources.html.
The evidence relating to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the discussion around face coverings, masks and shields is constantly evolving. It is important to note that the public health advice relating to Covid-19 is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). The Expert Advisory Group (EAG) of the NPHET has also been proactively examining all relevant evidence relating to the virus and the issue of face covering. The EAG has requested the Health Information and Quality Authority to prepare a revised and updated evidence synthesis on face coverings and I have been informed that this paper is expected to be finalised shortly.
