Written Answers Nos. 1444-1468
1444. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if a public consultation on the successor to the National Sexual Health Strategy is being undertaken by his Department; if so, the way interested stakeholders can make their views known on the National Sexual Health Strategy 2015-2020 in order to build on its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33346/21]
View answerThe National Sexual Health Strategy, 2015-2020 was launched in October 2015. It takes a life course approach, acknowledging the importance of developing a healthy attitude to sexuality in young people and of building on that foundation for positive sexual health and wellbeing into adulthood and older age. It also recognises the importance of challenging stigma and discrimination and creating positive cultural change to promote open communication about relationships, sexuality, and sexual health and wellbeing.
Current priority deliverables under the Strategy are HIV prevention, including the continued expansion of a Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) programme, which commenced in late 2019. Other key areas of work include expanding access to contraception, free of charge, through the National Condom Distribution Service; sexually transmitted infection (STI) services, progressing a population survey on sexual health and improving sexual health education, training and resources, including in schools, higher and further education.
A mid-term review of the Sexual Health Strategy was commissioned by the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP) and carried out in 2018 which outlines the progress made in the implementation of the strategy. The key contributors to success highlighted in the report include the composition and expertise of the programme team, the cross functional approach (education, training, communications, funding, research, clinical) and the strong engagement and collaboration with stakeholders throughout all aspects of implementation of the strategy.
A Mapping exercise and Needs Assessment of existing clinical sexual health services and laboratory services was also conducted, and a series of reports published in 2018. Following publication of the reports, two consultation workshops were hosted by the HSE Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP) in May 2018. These workshops were held as a means of engaging key stakeholders with the findings from the needs assessment and the mapping exercise and to identify areas for action in relation to sexual health services in Ireland. These actions have informed the development of subsequent annual SHCPP business plans.
Given the breadth of the Strategy, its original aims and objectives will remain relevant beyond 2020. It has therefore been agreed with the SHCPP to extend the lifetime of the current Strategy to the end of 2021. It was originally intended to review and refresh the Strategy in 2020, but this was postponed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, work on this review, led by the Department of Health, commenced in Q2, 2021.
The review process is currently underway; the initial phase consists of focus group meetings with key stakeholders, including clinical and public health staff, the SHCPP team, those working in the STI clinics, the Education sector, the Department of Health and Women’s Health Taskforce, the research and academic sector, NGOs and organisations representing the LGBTI+ community. The views of stakeholders are being collated and the Strategy will be reviewed, in order to inform the future direction of the next iteration of the strategy. The terms of reference of the new Strategy will be determined following the conclusions of the review process, but will include current areas of work, which remain fully funded.
1445. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if matters raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of a club will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33348/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the issue raised in relation to clubs is a matter for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
1446. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in relation to vaccination (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33349/21]
View answerThe Digital COVID Certificate Regulation is intended to facilitate people’s fundamental right to move and reside freely and help to support the lifting of restrictions currently in place in a coordinated manner within the EU.
As the Minister for Health, I am supporting the work of my Department in collaborating with relevant Departments under the leadership of the Department of Taoiseach to assist in the on-going implementation of the EU Digital COVID Certificates.
Arrangements for provision of vaccination certificates to persons not vaccinated in Ireland who received EMA approved vaccines will be considered once the initial roll-out is in place.
It should be noted that while the Regulation aims to facilitate free movement the EU Digital COVID Certificate is not a travel document and the possession of an EU Digital COVID Certificate will not be a precondition to exercise free movement rights. Travellers who do not have a Digital COVID Certificate can provide other verifiable forms of proof of vaccination, recovery, or a valid negative test under the current travel measures.
1447. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health when the management teams will be in place for the roll-out of disability teams in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33365/21]
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.
1448. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of expanding the health element of the Housing First programme to fully meet existing need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33371/21]
View answerHousing First is an initiative for homeless individuals, who have been sleeping rough and using emergency homeless accommodation on a long-term basis, with complex needs (including mental health and addiction needs) that have prevented them from exiting homelessness. The model offers the provision of immediate, permanent and affordable housing to tackle homelessness, and provides appropriate wraparound housing and health supports, and connections to community-based supports, to ensure people maintain their housing and improve their overall health and well-being.
Housing First initially existed across the Dublin region. In 2018 with the assistance of the Service Reform Fund, Housing First was expanded to include Galway, Limerick and Cork. In 2019 the programme was further expanded to include the South-East region.
The Housing First National Implementation Plan 2018–2021 is a collaboration between the Department of Health and Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. It includes a target of over 600 tenancies. I understand that over 50 per cent of those tenancies have already been delivered; and the success rate of the programme through housing sustainment is over 85 per cent, which compares very favourably with the best outcomes achieved by Housing First internationally.
The Department of Health provides annual funding of €36 million to the HSE for the health services and supports for homeless people, which is an increase of €6 million since 2016. From this allocation, the HSE provides funding for health supports for those availing of tenancies through Housing First.
In Budget 2021, I secured €1m for health supports for more than 200 new tenancies under the Housing First programme. as part of an overall allocation of €3.8m for the addiction and health needs of people who are homeless. This funding will further expand Housing First into regional counties and enhance wrap-around health supports for Dublin Housing First tenancies that are not currently covered in the implementation plan.
1449. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the reason that the number of nurses from the Philippines has been reduced due to the fact Ireland did not apply for an exemption from 5,000 to 10,000 nurses for Ireland given that the UK and Germany have been approved for the larger amount and that this is a matter of urgency as the Philippines may close off this source of nurses due to their own local needs. [33383/21]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for raising this important matter.
In early 2020, as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic the government of the Philippines introduced a ban on healthcare workers leaving the country. This ban was lifted in November 2020, but a limit was placed on the number allowed to leave the Philippines to ensure that enough healthcare workers would remain at home to help in the fight against the pandemic. This amount was initially set at 5,000 in respect of healthcare workers. We understand from the Department of Foreign Affairs that this has been recently increased to 6,500.
It should be noted that the process for applying for an exemption is challenging and requires complex negotiation. Ireland does not have an embassy in the Philippines at present but is in the process of opening one in Manila, it is hoped that this will be in place later in the year.
Officials from my Department are currently liaising with the Department of Foreign Affairs who are monitoring the situation. Officials are also seeking clarity from the HSE regarding the extent of the impact of this cap on workforce planning in our health service. When we have further information on the matter a decision will be taken regarding what next steps are required.
1450. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the status of Ireland’s ratification with respect to the EU Convention for the protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine: Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33386/21]
View answerThe Council of Europe’s Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine, also known as the Oviedo Convention, has been open for signature since 1997. It entered into force on 1 December 1999.
Ireland's ratification of this Convention will require the specific articles and provisions therein to be examined in detail from the point of view of their compatibility with healthcare policy frameworks and Ireland's existing and upcoming legislation. Work on these considerations has commenced and will inform a recommendation to Government.
1451. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if his Department has provided funding either directly or through the aegis of the HSE in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021, to any research facilities and or organisations involved in embryonic stem cell research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33387/21]
View answerThe Department of Health does not directly fund Health Research.
The HSE is also not a research funder and does not receive funds from the Department of Health for the purpose of funding research.
The Health Research Board (HRB) is the organisation that receives funding from the Department of Health for Health research and the HRB does not fund, and has not funded across the years 2015-2021, research involving embryonic stem cells.
The position agreed between the HRB and the Department of Health over a decade ago is that until such time as a policy or regulatory framework is advanced in this area in Ireland - the HRB will not support any projects involving embryonic stem cells. This remains the case and the HRB include this in all call documents and in all eligibility checks.
1452. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he plans to implement national hepatitis C treatment programmes into the Irish Prison Service as is set out in the HSE National Service Plan for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33396/21]
View answerThe HSE established a National Hepatitis C Treatment Programme (NHCTP) in 2015 and began the process of providing treatment for Hepatitis C using Directly Acting Antivirals (DAA’s) to patients prioritised according to clinical need. The HSE in its National Service Plans has committed to the continued implementation of a multi annual public health plan for the therapeutic treatment of hepatitis C. The Programme is allocated funding of €25m each year by my Department.
The NHCTP aims to make hepatitis C a rare disease in Ireland by 2026 and to achieve the World Health Organisation goal of eliminating hepatitis C by 2030. Achieving this will require identification and treatment of the majority of chronically infected individuals in the community. In this regard, the NHCTP are currently engaged in a formal epidemiological study to determine prevalence and to facilitate informed decisions regarding screening.
With the outbreak of COVID-19, hepatitis C clinics were significantly impacted. However, clinics are returning to normal and the NHCTP is confident that the Programme is on target to make hepatitis C a rare disease in Ireland by 2026, and in alignment with the WHO goal, to fully eliminate the disease in Ireland by 2030. To ensure that these targets are met, the NHCTP has implemented the following:
1. The Community Prescribing Project
2. The Irish Prison Service Treatment Programme
3. Extending the Seek and Treat Approach to people who are non-methadone dependant
The National Hepatitis C Treatment Programme Strategy 2020-2026 is currently under consideration by the Department. This refreshed strategy will set a clear direction for the further expansion of the programme.
1453. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if Ireland is still on target to reach the World Health Organisation goal of eliminating hepatitis C by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33397/21]
View answerThe HSE established a National Hepatitis C Treatment Programme (NHCTP) in 2015 and began the process of providing treatment for Hepatitis C using Directly Acting Antivirals (DAA’s) to patients prioritised according to clinical need. The HSE in its National Service Plans has committed to the continued implementation of a multi annual public health plan for the therapeutic treatment of hepatitis C. The Programme is allocated funding of €25m each year by my Department.
The NHCTP aims to make hepatitis C a rare disease in Ireland by 2026 and to achieve the World Health Organisation goal of eliminating hepatitis C by 2030. Achieving this will require identification and treatment of the majority of chronically infected individuals in the community. In this regard, the NHCTP are currently engaged in a formal epidemiological study to determine prevalence and to facilitate informed decisions regarding screening.
With the outbreak of COVID-19, hepatitis C clinics were significantly impacted. However, clinics are returning to normal and the NHCTP is confident that the Programme is on target to make hepatitis C a rare disease in Ireland by 2026, and in alignment with the WHO goal, to fully eliminate the disease in Ireland by 2030. To ensure that these targets are met, the NHCTP has implemented the following:
1. The Community Prescribing Project
2. The Irish Prison Service Treatment Programme
3. Extending the Seek and Treat Approach to people who are non-methadone dependant
The National Hepatitis C Treatment Programme Strategy 2020-2026 is currently under consideration by the Department. This refreshed strategy will set a clear direction for the further expansion of the programme.
1454. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the facilities that are provided by and supported by the HSE for those with dementia in County Wexford. [33419/21]
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.
1455. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1060 of 28 April 2021, the length of time each of the posts in both CAMHS services in County Wexford have been vacant; the estimated timeframe for filling these positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33420/21]
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.
1456. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if the European Health Card can have its life extended in view of the inability to renew due to the cyber-attack. [33428/21]
View answerI am informed by the HSE that the EHIC system has been fully operational since Friday 9th July 2021 and that applicants are receiving their cards in the post 4 to 5 days later. In the event that a card does not arrive a person may contact the HSE's EU Regulation office and they will be issued with a ‘Temporary Certificate’ so the person had a valid document for their travel. Contact details for the EU Regulations National Office are as follows: EU Regulations Office, HSE, North West Wing, St. Joseph's Health Campus, Mulgrave Street, Limerick. Email: euregulations@hse.ie.
I am also informed by the HSE that arrangements were put in place following the cyber-attack to ensure that no person would be prevented from receiving treatment as per terms of the EHIC. When the cyber-attack occurred the HSE informed every EU State of the difficulties being encountered. Furthermore, to ensure no person went without treatment, if a person who had entitlement to an Irish issued EHIC presented for treatment, the State in which treatment was being requested had both a phone contact and email address for the HSE's EU Regulations National Office who could confirm if the person had entitlement. I am also informed that any person who sought an EHIC when the HSE's systems were down and who contacted a local HSE office was provided with EU Regulations National Office email address so if they travelled abroad and required treatment per terms of the EHIC they could contact the office and they would liaise with the treating hospital to ensure treatment was provided.
1457. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he has considered extending the role of HIQA to investigate individual complaints. [33432/21]
View answerThe Department of Health is progressing the development of a policy to ultimately underpin a legislative scheme, regarding how clinical complaints and patient safety incidents are addressed in both public and private health and social care settings, placing the needs of patients and families at the centre of these processes.
The Department has commenced a range of work to inform this policy and better ascertain what patients, families and healthcare workers need from any reform of such processes. This work will incorporate a Programme for Government 2020 commitment to expand the remit of the Office of the Ombudsman to consider clinical decisions in health and social care complaints.
Background
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is an independent authority established to drive high-quality and safe care for people using our health and social care services in Ireland. HIQA’s role is to develop standards, inspect and review health and social care services and support informed decisions on how services are delivered. HIQA's role includes monitoring the safety and quality of health services and investigating as necessary serious concerns about the health and welfare of people who use these services.
HIQA does not investigate individual complaints, however the Department understands from HIQA that concerns it receives are used to inform its inspection and monitoring processes, informing the risk profile for the service and where appropriate are passed on to the relevant bodies.
Under the Health Act 2007, HIQA is responsible for developing standards for the quality and safety of healthcare services and for monitoring compliance with those standards. Under the Act, HIQA also has responsibility to investigate the safety, quality and standards of healthcare services if it believes that there is a serious risk to the health and welfare of patients.
Persons who have an individual complaint about a service can do this by contacting the person in charge of delivering the service or a complaints officer within the service.
Detailed information on how to make a complaint or give feedback about health and social care services in Ireland can be found at www.healthcomplaints.ie. This service has been developed for people who use health and social care services in Ireland, as well as for their families, care-givers and advocates. The HSE has an established mechanism to enable the making of a complaint through the Your Service, Your Say process. In addition, the Ombudsman also has a role in the investigation of individual complaints, as do professional regulatory bodies such as the Medical Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. The appropriate pathway for making a complaint is dependent on the particular issue of concern.
1459. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for physiotherapy appointments at Louth County Hospital from January to June 2021 and January to June 2020 inclusive; the number of physiotherapists working at the hospital for the same months in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33459/21]
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.
1460. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the public health policy regarding many expectant mothers who continue to be separated from their partners during prenatal appointments and early stages of labour; the measures he has undertaken to ensure that HSE public hospital management observe comments and instruction from his Department and the HSE clinical director in relaxing these restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33460/21]
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.
1461. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the Government has the competence under EU law to ban animal testing in Ireland; and if introducing such a ban will be considered. [33461/21]
View answer1665. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if Ireland could independently ban the use of animals in experiments for both medical and non-medical research; if not, if the ruling has to come from the EU; and the way licensing and subsequent approval or refusal of an experiment would work in a case in which the EU deems it acceptable but Ireland does not. [34469/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1461 and 1665 together.
In accordance with EU Directive 2010/63/EC each Member State must have a competent authority for the purposes of granting or refusing the authorisation of animal studies. In Ireland this function is carried out by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
Each Member State grants or refuses authorisation for animal studies independently of decisions taken in other Member States.
The HPRA exercises its functions in accordance with the above European legislation. This precludes that animal studies are banned outright; rather animal studies can only take place where there are no suitable non-animal alternatives available.
1462. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the case of a child (details supplied) who is still awaiting provision of a free general practitioner card and assist the family who are unable to access free general practitioner services as a result. [33478/21]
View answerThis matter has been raised with the HSE who have confirmed that the child concerned is registered with a medical card.
1463. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he has the remit and authority to instruct or compel the 19 maternity units to comply with easing restrictions that currently prevent a woman from having a partner of her choice with them at all antenatal appointments including all scans and throughout the full duration of her labour and birth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33479/21]
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.
1464. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the reason for appointing a person (details supplied) to a position advising on public nutrition; the number of other candidates that were in the running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33480/21]
View answerThe British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999 provides for Safefood to have both an Advisory Board and an Advisory Committee.
Safefood Advisory Committee (SAC) members are selected by Safefood following a publicly advertised invitation for expressions of interest from suitably qualified professionals. 52 expressions of interest were received for membership in the current SAC and 12 applicants were selected.
The role of the SAC is advisory. It meets on average twice a year and provides expert advice to Safefood when it considers new and emerging issues on food safety, healthy eating, and on strategic and cost-effective communications mechanisms for fostering positive change in these areas.
Safefood developed a code of practice for SAC members and procedures for conflict of interest is included. Appointees must disclose any information or personal connections which, if appointed, could lead to a real or perceived conflict of interest. Members must highlight any potential for such conflict and step back from any discussions on those issues
SAC members act in a voluntary capacity and are there to bring their expertise to topics for discussion. Safefood advises that all SACs appointed to date have included food industry representatives.
1465. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if a uniform best practice-based approach to women having full access to a partner will be implemented and enforced across all HSE maternity units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33481/21]
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.
1466. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the specific grounds identified by his Department and the HSE on which a maternity unit is exempt from lifting partner restrictions for maternity service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33482/21]
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.
1467. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to extend free PCR tests for the children of fully vaccinated parents travelling to visit family after 19 July 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33483/21]
View answerCOVID-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 S.I. 135 of 2021, which lays out the new travel measures in place since 19th July, children under the age of 12 travelling to Ireland are not required to show evidence of a negative RT-PCR test result upon arrival to Ireland. An exemption can be declared for children under the age of 12 on the new enhanced Passenger Locator Form prior to departure.
Children between the ages of 12 and 17 will be required to have a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival to travel into the country, unless they have valid proof of vaccination or recovery.
International travel policy is kept under continuous consideration informed by the international epidemiological situation and public health advice.
1468. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons allowed to attend official meetings of sporting organisations under current restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33484/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, on 29 June, Government announced the next phase of reopening the economy and society in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead.
While significant progress is being made in relation to the roll-out of our vaccination programme and the position had been broadly stable over the earlier part of June, 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 vaccinated. For this reason, a number of higher risk indoor activities will not recommence as planned on 5 July, pending the implementation of a system to verify vaccination or immunity status.
At present organised indoor events are not permitted. Indoor meetings for work purposes must take place under the guidance of the Work Safely Protocol which can be found online enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/Publication-files/Work-Safely-Protocol.pdf
Significant and sustained progress has been made on suppressing the virus over recent months due to the huge effort of people across the country. By working together, we have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease on society in Ireland. To protect the gains of recent months we must continue to practice basic preventative behaviours and to follow public health guidelines.
