Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1711. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the progress that has been made on the implementation of the recommendations by the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40068/22]
View answerThe Deputy is advised that I fully acknowledge the important work carried out by the Special Committee on COVID-19 Response and the recommendations published in the Committee’s final report on 8th October 2020.
Since March 2020, the Government has focussed its response to COVID-19 around controlling the spread of the virus, breaking the chains of transmission and protecting those who are most vulnerable from infection. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved significantly over time and there has been a clear national commitment to continue to learn from the pandemic as the national and international understanding of the virus evolves. This has also ensured that the public health-led approach evolves, as necessary and as evidence and learnings materialise.
Many of the recommendations published in the Committee’s final report were broad and cross-sectoral and would therefore fall under the remit of other Departments. With respect to the recommendations that fall under the remit of the Department of Health, the Deputy is advised that my Department continues to work to ensure the safety of those in nursing homes, continues to work on transitioning the COVID-19 testing programme towards a longer-term, sustainable model, and continues to manage the COVID-19 response with due consideration for the relevant recommendations of the Special Committee on COVID-19 Response.
