I recognise how difficult it has been for the families of nursing home residents who died during this pandemic, which has presented one of the greatest and most wide-ranging public health challenges internationally in recent history and I would like to express my condolences to all those who have lost a loved one during this period.
My Department has received, and responded to, numerous ministerial representations from family members of those who sadly died in the nursing home specified by the Deputy during the stated period. My Department has also corresponded with TDs representing bereaved families.
I also met with the group Care Champions, and some of those who had lost loved ones in the nursing home specified by the Deputy, on Monday 12 July 2021. The concerns raised by family members were heard at the meeting and a comprehensive response issued from my office on 19 August 2021.