Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Questions (1639)

Bríd Smith

Question:

1639. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will consider regulations to safeguard the largely unvaccinated cohort of young workers employed in the retail and hospitality sector by ensuring CO2 monitors are placed in all such venues to monitor air quality and possible dangers of the Covid-19 virus spreading in view of the planned reopening of retail and hospitality; if consideration has been given to making such monitors compulsory in all indoor dining areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34550/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I wish to advise the Deputy that the retail and hospitality sectors are a matter for the Department of Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media respectively.

It is the responsibility of individual Government departments to provide sector-specific COVID-19 advice on ventilation as per their respective remits.

Also, it is important to note that ventilation has remained one element of the broader infection prevention and control (IPC) response over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ventilation, however, is just one aspect of a suite of control measures that work in tandem to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The importance of vaccination, physical distancing, avoiding crowded and poorly ventilated spaces, face coverings, and maintaining good hand and respiratory hygiene as a collective suite of measures applied in tandem remains paramount.