AQW 1970/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 12/02/2020
Answered On Date: 16/04/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on his Department's Brexit preparations in line with the Northern Ireland protocol; and how many people are working on ensuring compliance with the protocol.

Answer:

The means by which the Northern Ireland Protocol may be implemented, and any corresponding impact this may have on the health and social care sector, is not yet fully known. My Department continues to engage extensively with the Department of Health and Social Care and other Whitehall Departments, the other Devolved Administrations, the Department of Health in the Republic of Ireland and with The Executive Office and other Northern Ireland Civil Service Departments regarding preparations relating to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Work is being taken forward on a number of fronts including health security, regulation and supply of healthcare products (medicines, medical devices and clinical consumables), regulation relating to tobacco and E-cigarettes, and issues surrounding the movement of people, such as the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications.

It is not possible to provide an exact number of staff working in this area. There are 6 posts which directly support Brexit preparations; however, there are others working within existing policy teams who support preparations as part of normal business. In recent weeks it has been necessary to reprioritise the work of my Department and it has been necessary to re-deploy some staff to deal with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the situation is being monitored and is being kept under review.