Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
2886. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the number of meetings between the Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People and representatives of a group (details supplied) each month since appointment; the number of meetings between the Minister of State and any owners or directors of private nursing homes since July 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39480/21]
View answer2888. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the number of meetings between him and any owners, directors of private nursing homes since July 2020; the number of meetings between him and representatives of a group (details supplied) each month since appointment; the number of meetings between officials or advisers of his and any owners, directors of private nursing homes and representatives of the group since July 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39482/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2886 and 2888 together.
Both Minister Donnelly and I have held a number of virtual meetings with the representative body referred to by the Deputy. During 2020 we held two meetings in July, one in November and December and further meetings have taken place in May and more recently in July this year. Nursing home directors are represented at these meetings also.
Over the last year I have had several phone conversations with the CEO of the body referred to by the Deputy. During the height of the pandemic, phone calls took place almost every second day. Also in January Minister Donnelly had one further virtual meeting about the launch of the Nursing Homes vaccination programme.
In addition, officials from the Department have had continuous and ongoing engagement with the stakeholder referred to by the Deputy. As a key stakeholder, it is important to maintain constructive engagements with this representative body as we continue the ongoing response to COVID-19 and beyond. The engagements to date have related to issues such as visiting guidance, staffing, PPE, testing and related matters to the COVID-19 pandemic and nursing homes as well as the Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) and ongoing matters relating to the operation of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme.
Finally I must advise the Deputy that there continue to be IT access issues arising from the cyber security incident and therefore it has not been possible to conduct a definitive search of all possible sources of information at this time.
