Sorca Clarke
Question:179. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the requirements regarding PPE, face masks and hand sanitisation by members of An Garda Síochána when entering a private home. [6088/21]
View answerThursday, 4 February 2021
Questions (179)
Written answers
I have requested information from the Garda Commissioner in relation to this matter but it was unfortunately not possible to compile it in the time available.
I will write to the Deputy directly with the information requested, when it is available.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question 179, which was for answer on 4 February 2021 where you asked for the requirements regarding PPE, face masks and hand sanitisation by members of An Garda Síochána when entering a private home. You will recall that the information could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to consult with An Garda Síochána and contact you again when the information became available.
You will be aware that An Garda Síochána is carrying out extensive operations in support of the public health guidelines and restrictions which are in place to prevent or reduce spread of the COVID-19 virus in the community. An Garda Síochána is dedicated to supporting the public health measures during this pandemic.
The Commissioner is by law responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of resources and deployment of equipment. The Commissioner is also responsible for the safety, health and welfare of Garda members.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that provision of Personal Protective Equipment, hygiene aids as well as other products and services to assist in suppressing the transmission of COVID-19 have been regularly distributed across all Garda Divisions, Garda buildings and other working environments.
The equipment is readily available for use by all Garda employees and visitors to Garda buildings in compliance with Government and HSE guidelines and advices to reduce the opportunities for the transmission of COVID-19 within the Garda working environment.
The powers available to members of the Garda Síochána to enter a private dwelling include:
- in accordance with a warrant issued under Statute;
- Statutory power of entry;
- with implied or express consent;
- preservation of life (DPP v Delaney [1996] 1 I.L.R.M 536).
While there is no legal requirement for a member of An Garda Síochána to wear PPE when entering a house, should the need arise for members of An Garda Síochána to enter the residence of any individual, particularly at this time, the following procedures should be adhered to in order to protect the residents of the house and the Garda personnel:
- Prior to entering the property the Garda members will use alcohol-based sanitiser to clean their hands and will put on disposable gloves and a face-covering, utilising appropriate procedures for donning PPE;
- All persons present should be considered to be COVID-19 positive;
- Prior to entering the property, every effort will be made to have the premises vacated, by all co-operative persons present;
- On exiting the dwelling, again, following appropriate procedures for the removal of PPE, the members will take off the disposable gloves, dispose of them properly and then clean their hands with alcohol-based sanitiser, and then remove the face-covering, which will, again, be disposed of appropriately;
- The members will finally use alcohol-based sanitiser to clean their hands before leaving the scene.
If it is suspected or confirmed that a person resident at the property is in receipt of a positive COVID-19 test result then the Designated COVID-19 Mobile will be dispatched to the call. On arrival the Garda Members will put on COVID-19 specific PPE (including disposable gloves, disposable suits, surgical facemask and eye protection) prior to entering the property.
I trust this information is of assistance.