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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 December 2021

Wednesday, 8 December 2021

Questions (140)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

140. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if there are exemptions to persons being charged for mandatory hotel quarantine for essential or family reasons; if so, the body to which a person can apply for the exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60620/21]

View answer

Written answers

Guests who previously underwent Quarantine in a Designated Facility and who have received a payment deferral form may apply for an exemption from payment. To avail of this option, guests should submit a completed payment deferral form to the Department of Health, along with relevant documentation supporting their request for an exemption.

Full exemption is given to guests who have demonstrated one of the following:

- remaining in receipt of social welfare allowance payments

- overall income below the exemption threshold of €21,112 per annum,

- circumstances of financial hardship which would cause exceptional difficulty in meeting the payment, where travel was necessary and unavoidable.

Consideration is also given to the financial position of persons who are in full time education who fall under the income thresholds.

A partial exemption is granted to guests who have provided proof of income above the exemption threshold of €21,112, but below €30,000 per annum.

An option to complete payment in three monthly instalments can be offered to guests who were not granted a full exemption from the costs of their stay.

If a guest is not satisfied with the decision, they may request a second review by a designated Appeals Officer and subsequently may request a further review by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Should it be necessary to reintroduce Mandatory Hotel Quarantine, regulations relating to charging and exemptions will be put in place.

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