Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 January 2021
242. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in each direct provision centre by month between 1 February 2020 and 15 January 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3198/21]
View answer243. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of deaths as a result of Covid-19 in direct provision centres between 1 February 2020 and 15 January 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3199/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together.
Responsibility for the recording of the number of people who test positive for COVID-19 lies with the Department of Health. The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) cannot confirm positive test results of any person as we do not hold such personal medical information. Decisions on who should be tested and the release of data relating to same are matters for the HSE in a public health context. My Department's priority is the protection of residents, staff and the wider community and it is working very closely with the HSE to manage the challenges of this public health crisis.
Information regarding outbreaks of COVID-19 are published weekly by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC). Details of outbreaks in International Protection Accommodation Centres can be found in table 5 at the following link:
www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/surveillance/covid-19outbreaksclustersinireland/COVID-19%20Weekly%20Outbreak%20Report_Week532020_v1.0_04012021_WebVersion.pdf.
Determining the cause of death of an individual is a matter for relevant medical authorities or the Coroner depending on the circumstances. My Department has not been informed of any deaths attributable to COVID-19 among residents in IPAS accommodation.
I can assure the Deputy that the health and wellbeing of all residents and staff of accommodation centres for International Protection applicants remain the highest priorities for my Department.
