Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
3299. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the arrangements for the enforcement of the regulations in respect of indoor hospitality; the details of the role to be played by An Garda Síochána, the environmental health officers and the health and safety inspectors; the specific additional resources which will be provided to these agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41277/21]
View answerThe Health Act 1947 (Sections 31AB and 31AD) (Covid-19) (Operation of certain indoor premises) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 385 of 2021) provides for the reopening of indoor hospitality from 26th July 2021.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) have been named as relevant bodies under the Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2021 (No. 24 of 2021). Section 31AD(1) of this Act allows for these bodies to designate compliance officers.
Compliance officers are empowered to carry out checks to determine whether the indoor operator is complying with the regulations. Compliance officers also have the power to inform An Garda Síochána of failures to comply with the regulations as well as the power to take the matter to the Courts if necessary. However, it must be emphasised that the primary objective is to encourage compliance with the regulations to ensure that hospitality can reopen in a safe manner, and most importantly that it can remain open. It is also important to remember that while the HSE and HSA have a role in verifying compliance, the operators of indoor hospitality businesses have a key role in enabling and supporting the safe operation of the system and I am confident that the vast majority of operators will approach matters on this basis.
The HSE Environmental Health Service is continuing to carry out additional activities/functions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic through existing resources, on a risk priority basis.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment advises me that the HSA will utilise its existing cohort of inspectors to carry out its role under the regulations. The HSA is currently progressing a recruitment campaign to increase the number of staff in inspector roles, with additional inspectors having already joined the HSA in the last month.
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media has advised me that Fáilte Ireland has produced detailed updated guidelines for the tourism and hospitality sector to coincide with the re-opening of indoor hospitality and has also developed support materials for hospitality businesses to communicate with their customers, which are available on their website. In addition, Fáilte Ireland continues to operate its COVID safety charter. Businesses who sign up to this voluntary charter are subject to spot checks by Fáilte Ireland to confirm that the business is complying with all public health protocols and Government Guidelines and that all employees have undertaken infection prevention control training.
