Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 July 2021
443. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the letters from the Expert Group on the Role of Ventilation in Reducing Transmission of Covid-19 sent to the senior officials group, to which it now reports, can be made publicly available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29096/21]
View answerThe Expert Group on the Role of Ventilation in Reducing Transmission of COVID-19 was initially established as a subgroup of the NPHET with a view to providing expert advice and guidance.
It was agreed that the work of the Expert Review Group and their reports would be taken forward by the Senior officials Group on Covid 19. Since then it has informed Departments and Agencies work in respect of sectoral guidance and public information regarding ventilation.
The Expert Group on the Role of Ventilation in Reducing Transmission of COVID-19 submitted two reports while reporting to the NPHET at the Department of Health. These reports, along with relevant agendas and meeting minutes are available on the gov.ie website: www.gov.ie/en/publication/aa43c-expert-group-on-the-role-of-ventilation-in-reducing-transmission-of-covid-19/#reports
Following the initial two reports, I am advised that further work of the group on educational settings has been published: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ad236-guidance-on-ventilation-in-schools
Additionally, a revised Work Safely Protocol was published on 14th May. This revised Protocol incorporates the current advice on the Public Health measures needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community and workplaces including this updated guidance on ventilation as part of the range of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
