Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 October 2021
722. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will put in place a consultation framework to prepare for a public enquiry into the tragic loss of life in nursing homes during the Covid-19 pandemic. [50402/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has been a very clear commitment to continue to learn from the pandemic as the national and international understanding of the COVID-19 virus evolves, and where necessary to ensure that the public health-led approach evolves, as evidence and learning materialises. The COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel report is particularly pertinent in that regard and progressing the implementation of its recommendations is ongoing. Findings of this report as well as other examinations throughout the pandemic confirm that the very infectious nature of COVID-19 makes it difficult to prevent and control in residential care settings. The reports produced nationally identify findings consistent with international evidence, which have highlighted that the probability of COVID-19 introduction into nursing homes depends on the levels of the disease circulating in the community, with a higher risk associated with higher incidence rates in the community.
The Government has provided extensive support to the Nursing Home Sector since the start of the pandemic. The Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) was established in April 2020 as a temporary, administrative measure to respond to the challenges being faced by the nursing home sector at the start of the pandemic. Up to €134m for the Scheme was made available for 2020 and 2021. In recognition of the residual risk presented by the virus, Minister Donnelly and I have agreed to the continued availability of the outbreak assistance element of the Scheme until the end of this year. This will ensure that contingency is available in the event of an outbreak.
As the pandemic has continued, many further support measures for private and voluntary nursing homes have been made available through the Health Service Executive (HSE), including the provision of PPE on a no-cost basis, the implementation of serial testing, the support and engagement of COVID-19 response teams and public health teams, the temporary accommodation scheme for nursing home staff and further supports. Many of these supports will continue to be provided by the HSE for the foreseeable future.
The Government’s commitment to longer-term reform is underlined in Budget 2022 with €17.6 million allocated for the further implementation of the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel Report, with a focus on the establishment of multidisciplinary Community Support Teams, safe staffing framework piloting and the safeguarding of residents.
As the Deputy is aware the prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant has increased in Ireland and this poses ongoing risk, in particular to those who are not yet fully protected though vaccination. It must be recognised that the pandemic has not concluded and at this time a priority focus of Government remains on the ongoing management of the COVID-19 response, to ensure that the positive gains now been experienced are preserved, and that those most vulnerable to the virus continue to be safeguarded, having regard to the residual risk. The Government is continuing to look at options which may be available to the State in relation to listening to the voices of those who have lost a loved one. The establishment and parameters of any broader review or evaluation of the State’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic would be a matter for Government to decide on at the appropriate time.
