I should first state that I have received information that the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, does not have Covid-19. I wish him well. It was an honour to be able to step in for him but it is good to know that the Minister does not have the virus. As the Deputy is aware, the virus only needs a small window of opportunity to re-emerge. For everyone's sake, especially the most vulnerable, it is therefore critical to keep the transmission of the virus within the community to the absolute minimum. Deputy…

The Government shares the Deputy's concerns. The National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, meets on a regular basis. It reviews current restrictions based on the most up-to-date information and advises the Government accordingly. It is impossible to accurately predict the future trajectory of Covid-19 in Ireland. As the Deputy knows, there is no precedent for dealing with a pandemic such as this. As such, it is impossible to provide assurances that it is safe to lift the public health restrictions. We are looki…

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of the provision of a primary care centre in Finglas. The development of primary care is central to the Government's objective of delivering a high-quality, integrated and cost-effective healthcare system. As the Deputy is aware, Finglas has been identified as a location for the development of a primary care centre. As he pointed out, approval for a HSE direct-build primary care centre was granted in 2012. Following review of several sites in the area, a Dublin City Council-…

As I stated, feasibility studies in respect of the site are progressing. The HSE will be tendering for the services of a design team to progress the proposed project to completion in the near future, subject to agreeable conclusion to the site purchase. The HSE advised that discussions with Dublin City Council regarding the proposed primary care centre were delayed due to the pandemic but have recently reconvened in an effort to conclude the site purchase from the council on terms agreeable to both parties. I under…

Finglas was identified as a high priority location for the development of a primary care centre. As I stated, a HSE direct-build primary care centre was approved in 2012 in the HSE monthly capital annual plan. Primary care centres offer clear benefits such as bringing healthcare professionals together to operate as multidisciplinary teams in purpose-designed, well-equipped and high-quality modern facilities. This centre will be the focal point for many local health initiatives. I again thank the Deputy for raising …

The Minister, along with the Minister of State with responsibility for disability, Deputy Rabbitte, is committed to improving services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives. This year, the HSE will provide more than 8,300 residential places to people with disabilities and will continue working with agencies to explore various ways of responding to this need in line with available resources. On the residential care facility in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, I u…

An on-site meeting with HSE CHO 1's head of social care, general manager disability services and service manager disability services, a representative from HSE estates and a representative from the Respond housing agency took place on the morning of 12 February last. The purpose of the meeting was to consider any outstanding minor works to be completed and to carry out a walk-though of the premises with the Respond architect and members of the HSE estates. Agreement was reached that a list of minor works would be c…

I understand that the HSE CHO1 notes that the funding to make this facility operational has been included in the Estimates process for 2021. I understand the Deputy's concerns. We will bring them to the Minister. Hopefully, this issue can be resolved.

I welcome this opportunity to update the House on the important policy areas that fall under my remit as Minister of State with responsibility for public health, well-being and the national drugs strategy. My opening statement will deal with how these policy areas support the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. My closing statement will set out my policy priorities for the remainder of 2020 and into 2021. Covid-19 is having a major impact on every aspect of our society both in Ireland and across the globe. Real prog…

Do I have a certain amount of time?

How many minutes? Do I have ten or 15 minutes?

I thank the Deputies for their contributions to this discussion on public health and the national drug strategy. I have noted many of the points that have been raised and will consider them and their implementation as part of my brief in the coming months. I will also try to reply to Deputies who have raised specific questions, if I can. I have many policies that I want to outline but I will not be able to do so in the time allowed. I want to answer a lot of the queries that have been asked and speak to the advice …

I thank Deputy Boyd Barrett for raising this important issue. A key principle underpinning Government policy is to support older people to live in their own home with dignity and independence for as long as possible. In recent years, there has been a shift in the focus of healthcare provision towards home care. Home support services are key in facilitating older people to remain at home and with our ageing population will become increasingly important. There will, of course, always be people whose needs are best me…

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. On behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, I would like to reaffirm that the decision to close St. Mary’s was a course of action solely undertaken by the former board of directors. I hear the Deputy loud and clear that the residents want to continue to live in their homes with dignity. The Deputy wants the services maintained. He acknowledged the great work done by the staff. Provisional liquidators have been appointed and the HSE has confirmed that it is working c…

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and giving me the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, to provide an update to the House regarding concerns over hygiene and infection control standards a Cork University Hospital's geriatric unit. First, I assure the Deputy that infection prevention and control is generally well-developed in acute hospitals. Indeed, prior to the pandemic all acute hospitals had outbreak teams in place. However, while it was clear that systems were in place to manage out…

I will bring the Deputy's observations back to the Minister, Deputy Donnelly. The upset of the staff, patients and their families has been noted. The Deputy also called for various protocols to be introduced. He also spoke about an unannounced visit by HIQA that may happen on Monday. I will try to clarify those issues for him. It is now clear that in order to safely and sustainably manage the provision of the health service into the future, significant investment will be required to build the IPC capacity in the co…

The House has heard a range of views regarding the operation of the regulations. Deputy Sherlock reflected the views of ordinary people. Many Deputies have reflected such views. Those views are not always consistent but they certainly reflect the views of ordinary people across the country. I am sure the Deputies will agree that the health and safety of our people is paramount. All the measures taken thus far, and any measures we seek to implement in the future, are designed with one thing in mind, namely, to ensur…

The Government continues to seek to preserve our well-being by adopting a flexible and informed approach to restrictions and relaxations and by maintaining key protective measures that will enable individuals and their families to participate more fully in society. I thank Deputy Naughten, who I believe has left the Chamber, for wishing me well in my role as Minister of State. He talked about the temporary wage subsidy scheme and rates bills regarding the restart grants. He stated an issue arises regarding the onli…

There is an effort to clarify the situation. I believe it has been clarified in the past few days.

Many Deputies have referred to pubs and bars. Many of us have made big sacrifices over recent months, not least business owners. I have met many publicans, business owners and customers and I realise the matter raised is an issue but, again, the health and safety of the public is paramount. I hope we can arrive at some solution. Pubs and bars are an integral part of our communities. The Government recognises their place in the community but at the same time it recognises that we must continue to protect the people …