Health and Safety

Tuesday, 16 November 2021

Questions (127)

Gerald Nash

Question:

127. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of inspections that the Health and Safety Authority has carried out in hospitality-related businesses, such as, pubs, restaurants, cafés, hotels and nightclubs since 22 October 2021 in order to monitor and enforce compliance with the requirement for EU digital Covid certificates to be presented and checked, by county; the number of compliance notices or formal orders issued to businesses that have been found to be non-compliant with the regulations relating to the checking of EU digital Covid certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55498/21]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA), along with the Health Services Executive (HSE) has been identified as a relevant body under the Indoor Dining Regulations which came into force on 26 July 2021.

The Health and Safety Authority has undertaken 233 Compliance Checks in businesses under these new regulations between 22nd October 2021 and 5th November 2021.

The findings of the compliance checks completed are as follows:

- 96% of operators were found in compliance.

- 4% of operators were found to be in non-compliance

- 22% of operators required additional compliance measures

In the same period 5 direction/compliance notices have been issued.

The focus of the Compliance Checks is on supporting the relevant indoor operators to understand their responsibilities of ensuring only permitted persons who have provided a proof of immunity to dine or drink indoors.

Where additional measures or non-compliances were identified, appropriate follow up and engagement is being undertaken by the HSA’s Compliance Officers.

The following table gives a breakdown of the compliance checks by county.

County	Compliance Checks
Dublin	40
Cork	35
Galway	17
Limerick	16
Carlow	10
Waterford	25
Kilkenny	15
Clare	10
Donegal	11
Kildare	13
Mayo	10
Kerry	5
Laois	6
Sligo	4
Westmeath	11
Offaly	2
Wicklow	3