There are no finalised plans regarding the "wind-down" of the National Public Health Emergency Team, but it is being considered, the Oireachtas Health Committee has heard.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan told members that there will still be a need for a "multi-professional" advisory panel going forward.
Responding to Sinn Féin's health spokesperson David Cullinane, Dr Holohan said that the wind-down of NPHET will be a matter for the Minister for Health, who is currently considering it.
The committee heard that NPHET is considering the future of "public health surveillance", such as testing and contact tracing, and that a significant change is expected in that regard.
Dr Holohan said that he does not anticipate that he will be "advising the need to test every individual irrespective of the severity of symptoms and irrespective of how vulnerable they individually might be to the disease itself".
"These kinds of considerations are happening in every country," he said.
Dr Holahan has written to the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), asking it to consider the future role of vaccination.
While he cannot pre-empt the outcome, he said that it is possible that people will not require vaccination on a continuous basis, but rather based on individual health needs.
Total of 32 deaths since last Wednesday
Dr Holohan's comments come as the Department of Health reports 12,560 new cases of Covid-19.
Of these, 5,940 were PCR-confirmed, while 6,620 were positive antigen tests registered through the HSE portal.
There are 630 patients in hospital with the virus, of whom 65 are in intensive care.
A further 92 deaths linked to Covid-19 were notified to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre over the last week.
A total of 69 of the people died in January and February of this year, of which 32 deaths occurred since last Wednesday.
Figures from the Department of Health also show that nine of the newly notified deaths took place in December, five others occurred in November, with a further nine taking place earlier in 2021.
It means the number of virus related deaths in Ireland has increased to 6,228.
No booster advice for teenagers yet - Glynn
Deputy Chief Medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn told TDs and Senators that there is currently no recommendation from NIAC regarding booster vaccinations of 12 to 15-year-olds, but that he expects one in the next two to three weeks.
Around 80% of those eligible for a booster vaccine have availed of one, Dr Glynn told members.
Meanwhile, concern was expressed around the use of face coverings in primary schools.
Fianna Fáil's Cathal Crowe, a former teacher, told NPHET that it was a struggle for many pupils and teachers.
Omicron is 'very unlikely' to be the last variant of concern we will have to face, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has said, adding that the global public health risk remains very high | Read more: https://t.co/ggtdimyrqT pic.twitter.com/nflVYS8S8O
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) February 2, 2022
"It is very, very difficult. So much language, it's not just about what comes from the voice box it's actually the facial expressions, how the mouth moves and how words are formed," he said.
"I know a lot teachers and indeed pupils are struggling with this," he added.
Mr Crowe was told that NPHET is reviewing the use of face coverings in schools and will have a recommendation on this matter and others following its meeting on 17 February.
He also accused NPHET of "tardiness" on antigen testing and for not promoting the use of vitamin D, something recommended by the Oireachtas Health Committee.
Dr Holahan told the Clare TD that "in general terms" he agreed with the committee's findings on vitamin D.
The Chief Medical Officer has said that the current Covid outlook is 'broadly positive', but the global health risk remains high.
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) February 2, 2022
Dr Tony Holohan also said people should be assured that it's safe to return to the activities 'we all enjoy' | Read more: https://t.co/nfEkyztdf4 pic.twitter.com/JE3SyBabJQ
However, Dr Glynn said that a HIQA expert advisory group report found "no evidence" to support the view that Vitamin D was associated with a reduction in severe outcomes for those with Covid-19.
Members of NPHET were asked by People Before Profit's Gino Kenny to "take your doctor hat off" and assess what they could have done differently during the pandemic.
In response, Dr Holohan said that he felt that the strengthening of public health systems is an area in need of improvement, not just in Ireland but around the world.
The CMO told members that the current Covid-19 outlook in Ireland is broadly positive but that the global health risk remains high.
Dr Holohan said he believes that while the pandemic is not over, it is safe to return to activities, such as socialising, exercise, work and travel.
Tánaiste 'intends to strengthen' remote working laws
Meanwhile, the Tánaiste has said he intends to strengthen the proposed legislation on remote working.
Speaking at the Select Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar said: "I am open to having this legislation strengthened.
"I intend to strengthen it."
He rejected a suggestion from Solidarity-PBP TD Paul Murphy that the right to request remote home working is "not much of a right".
Mr Varadkar also rejected Mr Murphy's suggestion that the Government's approach is "effectively turning the clock back".
The requirement that "every business should have a remote working policy" is beneficial, and allows for appeals to the Workplace Relations Commission, the Tánaiste said.
"Maybe 13 conditions [to reject a request] are too many", he said, but insisted that it "will be more than a procedural right".
"There can't be an absolute right to remote working", Mr Varadkar added.
He said that many issues "need to be teased out" such as "to what extent would the employer be responsible for an injury in your home office".
Additional reporting: Fergal O'Brien
