Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021
509. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the reports that health and safety officers have made since 23 October 2021 in regard to Covid-19 compliance in the hospitality, public houses, café and restaurant sectors; and if he will provide an update on the levels of compliance. [58296/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) were both identified as relevant bodies under the Health Act 1947 (Sections 31AB and 31AD) (Covid-19) (Operation of certain indoor premises) Regulations 2021 and are collaborating closely on this.
The HSE is continuing to carry out COVID 19 checks, using existing resources and on a risk prioritisation basis. Responsibility for compliance with this legislation rests with the indoor operator who must ensure that they are aware of their legal obligations and are fulfilling them.
The HSE has advised that since the introduction of the indoor dining regulations the following compliance checks have been carried out up to 29th November 2021-
14,888 Compliance Checks Undertaken.
Of these 3,407 were not offering indoor dining facilities and a further 1,746 were not trading at the time of the visit therefore a total of 9,735 compliance checks were completed.
Of those 9,735 compliance checks-
- 6,830 - (70%) were in compliance.
- 2,527 - (26%) required further compliance measures.
- 378 - (4%) were non-compliant.
In businesses where additional measures were found to be required, HSE designated Compliance Officers continue to actively engage and follow-up with business operators to ensure full compliance.
Formal enforcement action is undertaken on an escalation process from verbal warnings, to formal Directions (verbal and written), Compliance Notices, Cessation Orders and Emergency Cessation Orders. To date the HSE has served 59 formal Directions (written and verbal) and 3 Compliance Notices and has been granted 1 Emergency Cessation Order by a District Court resulting in one restaurant being ordered to close for 72 hours.
The HSE has advised that from 22nd October, 4,907 compliance checks were carried out. Of those 488 had no indoor dining facilities and 429 were not trading at the time of the visit therefore a total of 3,990 compliance checks were completed.
Of those 3,990 checks-
- 2822 - (71%) were in compliance
- 935 - (23%) required further compliance measures
- 233 - (6%) were non-compliant.
I have been advised by my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment that the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has undertaken 1,196 compliance checks since the introduction of the indoor dining regulations up to 26th November 2021-
Of the compliance checks completed-
- 96% of indoor operators had a system in place to check immunity status.
- 9% of indoor operators received an enforcement action.
- 7% of indoor operators required additional compliance measures.
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 dine or drink indoors. Where additional measures or non-compliances were identified, appropriate follow up and engagement is being undertaken by the Authority’s Compliance Officers.
