Written Answers Nos. 319-338
319. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to Government policy on conducting a public inquiry into deaths in nursing homes from the Covid-19 as recommended by the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31713/21]
View answerThe Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, is the statutory independent regulator in place for the nursing home sector, whether a HSE managed or a private nursing home. The Authority, established under the Health Act 2007, has significant and wide-ranging powers up to and including withdrawing the registration of a nursing home facility, which means that it can no longer operate as a service provider. This responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive quality framework comprising of Registration Regulations, Care and Welfare Regulations and National Quality Standards.
HIQA, in discharging its duties determines, through examination of all information available to it, including site inspections, whether a nursing homes meets the regulations in order to achieve and maintain its registration status. Should a nursing home be deemed to be non-compliant with the Regulations and the National Quality Standards, it may either fail to achieve or lose its registration status. In addition, the Chief Inspector has wide discretion in deciding whether to impose conditions of Registration on nursing homes.
The Deputy will be aware that the Nursing Homes Expert was established, on foot of a NPHET recommendation, to examine the complex issues surrounding the management of COVID-19 among this particularly vulnerable cohort. This Expert Panel report has added further to our knowledge and learning. This report clearly outlines the key protective measures that we must ensure are in place across our nursing homes. These actions are based on learning from our own and the international experience of COVID-19 to date. The report also recommends additional analysis and examination of the relevant public health and other data sets in order that further causal and protective factors for COVID-19 clusters are identified. HIQA and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) recently jointly published an “Analysis of factors associated with outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 in nursing homes in Ireland”, delivering on recommendation 6.7 of the Expert Panel report, to further the learning from the pandemic. Further data analysis work and learning will also continue, in line with other recommendations of the Expert Panel, but unfortunately have been impacted by the recent cyberattack on the health system.
Work to progress the recommendations of the Expert Panel report, particularly those recommendations requiring a priority focus in the response to COVID-19, is ongoing across all of the health agencies and stakeholders. Continued learning and understanding of progression of the disease in Ireland is an integral part of those recommendations.
Many of the short- and medium-term recommendations have already been implemented. The significant examination undertaken by the Expert Panel provides important learning and a framework for enhancing older persons services both in the short and long-term and this work is progressing.
A number of supports have been made available to nursing homes throughout the pandemic, including:
- the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
- COVID-19 Response Teams;
- the HSE temporary accommodation scheme;
- serial testing for nursing homes
- HSE training and development resources, which were opened up to private and voluntary providers
- IPC support and advice; and
- the suite of guidance developed to support the sector
At a broader level, there has been significant and ongoing consideration of this impact since the start of the pandemic, with various examinations and development of reports with a focus on COVID-19, its impact on nursing homes and the pandemic learnings that can inform future policy, regulation and the model of care for older persons. There has been a very clear national commitment to continue to learn from the pandemic as the national and international understanding of the virus evolves, and where necessary to ensure that the public health-led approach evolves, as evidence and learning materialises. Findings of these reports confirm that the very infectious nature of COVID-19 makes it difficult to prevent and control in residential care settings. The reports produced nationally identify findings consistent with international evidence, which have highlighted that the probability of COVID-19 introduction into nursing home depends on the levels of the disease circulating in the community, with a higher risk associated with higher incidence rates in the community.
While significant progress has being made in relation to the roll-out of the vaccination programme and the current situation in nursing homes is broadly stable, the prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant is rapidly increasing in Ireland and this poses a significant risk, in particular to those who are not yet fully protected though vaccination. It must be recognised that the pandemic has not concluded and at this time a priority focus of Government remains on the ongoing management of the COVID-19 response, to ensure that the positive gains now been experienced are preserved, and that those most vulnerable to the virus continue to be safeguarded, having regard to the residual risk.
While we are still dealing with a level of risk in nursing homes, we are continuing to look at options which may be available to the State in relation to listening to the voices of those who have lost a loved one.
320. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of protected disclosures made by staff in the HSE since 2010; the action taken to protect those making such disclosures; the number of protected disclosures that have led to actions or changes in policy as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31714/21]
View answer"As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
321. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the supports that are available for a family waiting for night nurse services for their newborn child in the case of a family in County Tipperary have been informed they will have to wait at least six months for this service through the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31737/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
322. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if he will allow the administration of a second dose of a vaccine (details supplied) to healthcare workers who have received a first dose of another vaccine and are concerned about the overall efficacy of the first vaccine against some variants after two doses in certain circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31750/21]
View answerIreland's COVID-19 vaccination programme strategy is to distribute all available vaccine as quickly as is operationally possible, prioritising those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19.
The programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness and fairness, with the objective of reducing severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infection.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The Committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to the Department of Health. The NIAC review all data relating to COVID-19 vaccines on a rolling basis.
Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the NIAC develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and include guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.
The current Guidelines state:
There are currently four COVID-19 Vaccines authorised for use in Ireland. The vaccines are not interchangeable. For vaccines that have a two-dose schedule, the same vaccine should be used for both doses. The NIAC will continue to review the evidence concerning the safety and efficacy of a heterologous vaccination strategy (using a different vaccine for the first and subsequent doses of a multi-dose schedule) as it becomes available.
You can read the guidelines at: www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf.
323. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the system he has put in place to record side-effects of Covid-19 vaccinations carried out in Ireland; if such data is published or the way it can be accessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31751/21]
View answerThe Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is responsible for monitoring the safety and quality of all medicines including vaccines that are licensed in Ireland. The HPRA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) continually monitor adverse events to vaccination.
The HPRA operates a national adverse reaction reporting system in which members of the public and healthcare professionals are encouraged to submit any suspected adverse reactions to vaccination. All reports received by the HPRA are routinely transmitted to the EMA's adverse reaction database for inclusion in global signal detection and monitoring activities.
The HPRA follows up on reports of suspected adverse reactions received from healthcare professionals and members of the public through the voluntary reporting system, including any deaths notified following vaccination.
The latest safety update from the HPRA regarding COVID-19 vaccinations is available here: www.hpra.ie/homepage/medicines/safety-notices/item?t=/safety-update-covid-19-vaccines-overview-of-national-reporting-experience-17-june-2021&id=f3c50f26-9782-6eee-9b55-ff00008c97d0.
324. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when he will review the EMA approval of a vaccine (details supplied) for 12-15 year olds; if medically vulnerable children in this age cohort will be included in cohorts 4 and 7 for the vaccine roll-out; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31819/21]
View answerIreland welcomes the European Medicines Agency age extension recommendation for the COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty to include use in children aged 12 to 15. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee is reviewing the matter and will make a recommendation as appropriate. Currently, Ireland's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme is administering vaccines to those aged 16+.
325. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when respite can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); if all options have been considered in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31858/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
326. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the role he envisages rapid antigen testing playing in respect of Ireland's implementation of the EU Digital Covid Certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31859/21]
View answer330. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if Ireland is planning to forgo its portion of the 550 million antigen tests that have been procured by the European Commission in order to facilitate the Digital Covid Certificate and make travel within the EU affordable for all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31931/21]
View answer385. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the potential for funding for the subsidisation of children’s PCR and antigen testing inbound and outbound at airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32561/21]
View answer386. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will make funding available to enable PCR and antigen testing at airports in line with the Digital Covid Certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32562/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 326, 330, 385 and 386 together.
Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests remain the gold standard in terms of COVID-19 testing, particularly in relation to the screening of travellers. Ireland does not accept antigen tests for travel related testing.
COVID-19 tests for the purposes of travel, both to and from the State, can be sourced via private testing providers, in order to preserve the testing capacity of the HSE for priority groups and public health screening.
Under the current travel measures, as provided in S.I. 135/2021, passengers travelling to Ireland are required to present evidence of a negative result from a PCR test. Currently, children aged 6 are not subject to this requirement. The Government has announced revised travel policies to take effect from 19th July in keeping with the EU Digital COVID Certificate. It is intended that from this date, children under 12 years of age will not be subject to the requirement for a pre-departure PCR test.
These travel measures are kept under continuous review based on public health advice and the international epidemiological situation.
327. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with a hotel group (details supplied) regarding a mandatory hotel quarantine refund with a view to processing the refund. [31860/21]
View answerIn the interests of protecting confidentiality, the Department of Health does not comment on individual cases, however, I can confirm that officials in my Department have followed up on this request and that appropriate action has been taken in accordance with the refund policy for mandatory hotel quarantine.
Further information on the refund policy can be accessed on www.gov.ie/quarantine.
328. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the requirements for air changes per hour regarding air filtration systems to help create clean air spaces in ensuring workplaces are safe to return to following the publication of the recent return to work safety protocol that was drafted in conjunction with the HSA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31871/21]
View answerIt is well recognised that ventilation plays an important factor in reducing the risk of aerosol transmission indoors, where individuals may be in close contact, potentially for longer periods of time and in poorly ventilated areas. It is not however a substitute for other control measures, such as vaccination, physical distancing, cleaning, face coverings and maintaining good hand and respiratory hygiene.
Ventilation requirements will vary depending on the workplace and the type of work being undertaken. The transmission of viral particles very much depends on the interaction of multiple factors such as the viral emission rate, the duration of exposure, the level of occupancy, environmental conditions, and ventilation rate. Focusing on air changes per hour (ACH) is not practical and would require engineering expertise to take account of specific settings in respect to the nature of the individual premises, the workspace, and the type of work being undertaken. Page 35 of The Work Safely Protocol contains a section on ventilation that offers advice to business owners. The advice is to focus on ways that ventilation can be increased in all work areas and the need to undertake a risk assessment for each indoor workplace to determine if there are any occupied areas that might be enclosed and poorly ventilated.
The Protocol also acknowledges that re-occupying workplaces should not, in most cases, require new ventilation systems but rather that improvements to ventilation will help increase the quantity of clean air and reduce the risk of exposure to airborne concentrations of the virus. The advice is to improve ventilation to increase the fresh air and reduce the level of recirculated air. Increasing ventilation can be achieved through natural means, like opening a window, or by mechanical means.
Building ventilation has remained one element of broader infection prevention and control (IPC) response over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. The appreciation of the role of ventilation has evolved in the context of developing experience, evidence, guidance and training, and the measures implemented reflect this learning.
The Deputy may also wish to note the work of the Expert Group on the Role of Ventilation in Reducing Transmission of COVID-19, which provides scientific advice on the role of ventilation and other control measures in mitigating against the risk of long-range (airborne) transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Their reports 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
It is the responsibility of individual Government departments to provide sector-specific COVID-19 advice on ventilation as per their respective remits. In this regard, the Deputy’s attention is drawn to some of the published guidance across a number of sectors, cited below.
Healthcare (HSE-AMRIC guidance):
- “Acute Hospital Infection Prevention and Control Precautions for Possible or Confirmed COVID-19 in a Pandemic Setting V.2.3 09.06.2021” www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/infectionpreventionandcontrolguidance/InfectionPreventionandControlPrecautionsforAcuteSettings.pdf.
- “Interim Guidance on Infection Prevention and Control for the Health Service Executive 2021 V1.3. 11.01.2021” www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/infectionpreventionandcontrolguidance/hseinfectionpreventionandcontrolguidanceandframework/Interim%20HSE%20Guidance%20on%20IPC.pdf.
- More generally, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has published Guidance on Non-Healthcare Building Ventilation during COVID-19. The Guidance provides broad recommendations, based on the literature, for commercial and public buildings: www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/infectionpreventionandcontrolguidance/buildingsandfacilitiesguidance/.
Education:
- www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/educationguidance/Guidance%20on%20non%20HCbuilding%20ventilation%20during%20COVID-19.pdf.
- www.gov.ie/en/publication/ad236-guidance-on-ventilation-in-schools/.
Workplaces, Businesses (including hospitality), Retails Settings, and Shopping Centres:
- A revised Work Safely Protocol (previously the Return to Work Protocol) was published on 14th May 2021 as a collaborative effort, led by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and involving primarily the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), with significant input by public health from the Health Service Executive (HSE). The 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 enhanced detail on ventilation: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bb7fd-work-safely-protocol/
- www.nsai.ie/images/uploads/general/NSAI-COVID19-Retail-Guidelines-13012021.pdf
- www.nsai.ie/images/uploads/general/NSAI-COVID19-Shopping-Centre-Guidelines-13012021.pdf
- Fáilte Ireland: Overview Guidelines to Reopening - failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Overview-Guidelines-to-Re-opening.pdf
- Fáilte Ireland: Guidelines for Reopening Restaurants and Cafes failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Guidelines-for-Re-opening-Restaurants-and-Cafes.pdf
- Fáilte Ireland: Guidelines for Reopening Hotels and Guesthouses - failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Guidelines-for-Re-opening-Hotels-and-Guesthouses.pdf.
There is also additional guidance on Gov.ie and on the HSE website which outlines the importance of ventilation in households, this can be found here:
- www.gov.ie/en/publication/472f64-covid-19-coronavirus-guidance-and-advice/.
- www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/how-coronavirus-is-spread.html.
329. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the supports that are available to persons who have had an adverse reaction to one of the Covid-19 vaccinations as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if the persons concerned should proceed to take a second dose of the vaccine. [31917/21]
View answerThe Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is responsible for monitoring the safety and quality of all medicines including vaccines that are licensed in Ireland. The HPRA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) continually monitor adverse events to vaccination.
The HPRA operates a national adverse reaction reporting system in which members of the public and healthcare professionals are encouraged to submit any suspected adverse reactions to vaccination. All reports received by the HPRA are routinely transmitted to the EMA's adverse reaction database for inclusion in global signal detection and monitoring activities.
The HPRA follows up on reports of suspected adverse reactions received from healthcare professionals and members of the public through the voluntary reporting system, including any deaths notified following vaccination.
The latest safety update from the HPRA regarding COVID-19 vaccinations is available here:
www.hpra.ie/homepage/medicines/covid-19-updates/covid-19-vaccine-communications.
As of 9 June, 9,470 reports of suspected side effects were notified to the HPRA, in the context of 3.1 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine having been administered as of that date. It must be stressed that all vaccines have some side effects, the vast majority of which are mild to moderate in nature.
These side effects need to be balanced against the significant benefits of vaccination in preventing Covid-19 illness. The ongoing reporting conducted by the HPRA continues to provide a favourable assessment of the vaccines and that the benefits outweigh any associated risks.
As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is ongoing, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
332. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the policy his Department will adopt for employees who opt out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31933/21]
View answerFirstly, as Minster for Health, I would strongly encourage as many people as possible to register on the HSE portal for a vaccination when the facility is available to them, and to avail of their COVID-19 vaccinations when offered.
It will not automatically be known to employers if an employee has availed of or elected against participation in the COVID-19 vaccination programme, however, situations may arise where some employers need to know if an employee has been vaccinated, having regard to a distinct work context. The onus in these instances will be with each individual employer, dependent on their individual needs and requirements, and each employer will deal with these matters on a case-by-case basis accordingly.
The Department of Health will keep its own risk assessment under review on an ongoing basis to decide whether any individual employees of the Department must be vaccinated to take out their normal work tasks and if so, what other protective measures may be needed in any individual case.
The current public health advice is that all existing infection prevention and control measures, (such as physical distancing, hand hygiene, face coverings, adequate ventilation), and working from home unless an employee’s physical presence in the workplace is necessary, must also remain in place for individuals even following their vaccination. The Department's employees continue to work from home unless their attendance on-site is necessary. In line with other civil service employers, this will be kept under review depending on the prevailing public health advice.
333. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the current rules in respect of permitting residents of nursing homes to go out into the community for recreational and hospitality visits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31956/21]
View answerThe Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has recently published updated guidance on visiting in long-term residential care: COVID-19: Normalising Visiting in Long Term Residential Care Facilities (LTRCFs). This guidance will come into effect on 19 July.
The public health advice is to restore visiting to near normal in terms of frequency of visits in those settings with a high level of vaccination of residents as quickly as possible, while also recognising the need to remain cautious as we continue to deal with the evolving risks associated with COVID-19. The guidance will be kept under continuing review as new evidence and data emerges.
The new guidance provides that:
Providers should put in place the necessary measures to progress to more normalised visiting and visiting frequency as quickly as possible in line with public health guidance with no more than two visitors at any one time.
- Routine visiting will no longer need to be scheduled in advance.
- There is no requirement to have a list of nominated visitors.
- The duration of the visit should not be limited.
- Fewer restrictions will apply to residents going on outings or visits outside of the nursing home.
Resident outings and visits to homes of families and friends are important for resident's overall welfare. As noted in the guidance, outings and activities should comply with the public health measures in effect at the time in relation to groups of people meeting.
Where there is a high level of significant vaccine protection in an LTRCF there is no requirement on residents to limit their movement within the LTRCF when they return from an outing or hospital attendance, regardless of the duration of the absence, unless some significant and unanticipated exposure risk happened or there is a specific public health or infection prevention and control recommendation that requires limitation of movement. Where there is not a high level of vaccination in an LTRCF, residents may be required to restrict their movements on return to the LTRCF.
Full details are available on the HPSC website and at www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/infectionpreventionandcontrolguidance/residentialcarefacilities/Normalising%20visiting%20in%20LTRCF.pdf.
334. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if the pandemic unemployment payment is being used as reckonable income for medical card and general practitioner visit card applications. [31957/21]
View answerThe HSE PCRS assesses the Pandemic Unemployment Payment as equivalent to employment income when conducting its financial assessment for a medical card or GP Visit card. This is because the rate of payment is aligned with previous earnings from employment and it also ensures alignment with the approach taken by the Department of Social Protection in relation to this payment.
336. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of graduates hired in the areas of occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language, dietetics and audiology in each CHO area, by each sub area of each CHO area in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [31991/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
337. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for a hip operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32006/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
338. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the issues as outlined in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the movement of ferries on the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32007/21]
View answerThe Regulation referred to in the correspondence submitted by the Deputy applies to people travelling to an airport or port for the purposes of going overseas without reasonable excuse; however, the provision concerned is subject to the review of current Government advice to avoid non-essential travel, which is intended to be changed from 19 July. The necessary amendments to regulations will be made in order to give effect to the policy changes and the issue raised will be addressed in that context.
