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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 October 2021

Thursday, 14 October 2021

Questions (168)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which air purifiers have or are being deployed to combat any further threats of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50201/21]

View answer

Written answers

Building ventilation has remained one element of the 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 and evidence. Guidance, training, and measures implemented reflect this learning.

The NPHET for COVID-19 regards ventilation as an important IPC measure and a NPHET subgroup, called the Expert Group on the Role of Ventilation in Reducing Transmission of COVID-19, was accordingly established in the early part of 2021 to provide scientific advice on ventilation and other control measures to reduce the risk of long-range (airborne) transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

Following the submission of the Expert Group’s second report, it was agreed that its work would be taken forward by the Senior Officials Group on COVID-19 at the Department of the Taoiseach. Since then, the Expert Group has informed Departments’ and Agencies’ work in respect of sectoral guidance and public information regarding ventilation.

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 the large volume of published guidance across a number of sectors, cited below. The application of IPC guidance, including procurement of equipment as necessary, is an operational matter for the sector concerned.

Healthcare sector (HSE-AMRIC guidance):

“Acute Hospital Infection Prevention and Control Precautions for Possible or Confirmed COVID-19 in a Pandemic Setting V.2.5 17.08.2021” https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/infectionpreventionandcontrolguidance/

“Interim Guidance on Infection Prevention and Control for the Health Service Executive 2021 V1.3.11.01.2021” https://www.hpsc.ie/az/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/infectionpreventionandcontrolguidance/hseinfectionpreventionandcontrolguidanceandframework/Interim%20HSE%20Guidance%20on%20IPC.pdf

“COVID-19 Interim Public Health, Infection Prevention & Control Guidelines on the Prevention and Management of COVID-19 Cases and Outbreaks in Residential Care Facilities V6.7 17.08.2020”www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/infectionpreventionandcontrolguidance/.

More generally, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has published Guidance on non-healthcare settings: Guidance for non-clinical settings - Health Protection Surveillance Centre (hpsc.ie)

Education sector:

Education Guidance - Health Protection Surveillance Centre (hpsc.ie)

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 16th September as a collaborative effort between employers and employees, which was led by the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Health, with the support of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and 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/22829a-return-to-work-safely-protocol/.

The Health and Safety Authority has also published checklists, including one on the topic of ventilation, to support employers preparing for the return of employees to the workplace: www.hsa.ie/eng/topics/covid-19_coronavirus_information_and_resources/.

The National Standards Authority of Ireland has also published workplace shopping centre, and retail protection and improvement guides About our COVID-19 Resources | NSAI

HPSC COVID-19 has published “COVID-19 Guidance for Hospitality Businesses V1.8 01.10.2021” Hospitality guidance.pdf (hpsc.ie)

Fáilte Ireland Operational Guidelines | Business Supports | COVID-19 Support Hub | Fáilte Ireland (failteireland.ie)

Sport:

Sport Ireland has published a return to sport guidance note with information on ventilation: Return to Sport and Physical Activity | Sport Ireland

The Arts:

The Arts Council has published a guidance note for the Arts Sector: Covid - 19 Guidance for the Arts Sector (artscouncil.ie)

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:

COVID-19 (coronavirus) - HSE.ie

www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/how-coronavirus-is-spread.html.

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