Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 January 2021
171. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of passenger locator forms completed by inbound air and sea port travellers from 11 December 2020 to date in 2021; the number of follow-up checks made by officials in respect of these forms; and the number of incomplete or non-answers documented in respect of same over that time period. [2060/21]
View answerThe number of passenger locator forms completed by passengers who arrived in Ireland between 11th December 2020 and the 3rd of January 2021 inclusive
118,414 passengers arrived by air
20,252 passengers arrived by sea
Passengers may have completed a passenger locator form in advance of travelling and not travelled, in particular due to the travel restrictions placed on travel from the GB on December 20th.
Passengers who complete the PLF can claim an exemption under the following headings:
- Those passengers who are transiting, or not remaining in the State overnight
- Those passengers transiting to Northern Ireland
- Those passengers who had claimed an essential travel exemption
Numbers were further excluded for follow-up if passengers address was verified and had departed the country within 5 days of arrival.
Passengers who do not claim an exemption are followed-up and are contacted by text to confirm their address.
Where a passenger has not responded to the address verification text, they will be called to verify their place of address. If they are not available at the first call, further attempts may be made to contact each passenger who is in scope for follow up calls. From the information provided 51% of passengers requested to do so confirmed their place of residence.
