Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
1440. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if the Government intends to set up a public enquiry into the handling of the Covid pandemic in nursing homes; when the enquiry will get underway; how long it will take; who will conduct the enquiry; if the enquiry will be independent; what will be its terms of reference; what will be the scope of the enquiry; if service users will be involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13518/23]
View answer1443. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if the Government intends to set up a public enquiry into the reason Covid-19-related deaths in Irish nursing home settings were among the highest in the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13523/23]
View answer1449. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if the Government intends to set up a public enquiry to investigate the respective roles of Government policy, HSE and acute hospitals' transferral of patients to nursing homes without proper screening at admission and without adequate isolation accommodation on arrival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13532/23]
View answer1450. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if the Government intends to set up a public inquiry to investigate the causal relationship between enduring managerial weaknesses in nursing homes, public and private, as reported on by HIQA, and the tragic and disproportionate impact of Covid-19 in nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13537/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1440, 1443, 1449 and 1450 together.
The Taoiseach has stated that a comprehensive evaluation of how the country managed COVID-19 will provide an opportunity to learn from our experiences in dealing with a pandemic. It will include a review of the whole-of-government response to the pandemic and how we might do better and be in a stronger position if another pandemic or other similar type of event were to occur. It will include a consideration of the health service response covering hospitals, the community and nursing homes, along with the wider economic and social response.
The exact format that the evaluation will take is currently under consideration. It is intended however that it will be established in 2023.
