Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
1580. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of checks that have occurred on a weekly basis from 6 February 2021 to date on persons quarantining at home after arriving here; the number in each case of SMS, telephone and Garda checks; and the number of persons who were compliant and non-compliant in tabular form. [14734/21]
View answerAll passengers arriving to the State are required to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator form. There are limited exemptions from this requirement for international transport workers, diplomats and children under 16. The Passenger Locator Form is used to support a system of engagements with arriving passengers including the targeting of public health messaging by SMS and email and may be used for contact tracing. Passengers may have completed a passenger locator form in advance of travelling and not travelled. Invalid paper forms may have illegible information including phone numbers or other essential information that is unclear and is required for follow-up. The paper form has been updated to an OCR form to improve legibility. Efforts continue to promote the use of the online form.
Passengers who completed a Passenger Locator Form are contacted by SMS and follow up phone calls to verify the address details provided on the form. SMS messages are also sent to deliver public health information.
My Department is informed by the Department of Justice that 590 checks on persons quarantining at home were conducted between 24 February and 14 March.
