They are, and I want to see this matter relating to Beaumont Hospital addressed as well because, as the Deputy stated, we have spare capacity across the health service. That is a rarity, but we need to be able to address this issue. Regarding private hospitals, I share the Deputy Shortall's view that we are going to need to retain all the capacity we can. Where I think there is room for debate, although I think I am close enough to Deputy's view on this, is how to best use that capacity and what arrangements and ag…

I have discussed this with the Chief Medical Officer and he said it is a short-term challenge. As we begin to resume non-Covid-19 care, we are going to see a significant need to increase testing, and regular testing, among certain cohorts of people. That could include hospital staff and patients going into hospitals----

There is advice from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, ECDC. The testing strategy paper tomorrow - and genuinely tomorrow - at NPHET is to finalise that deployment. The HSE is bringing the paper to NPHET tomorrow. Even ECDC guidance out this week, I think - and which was shared with the Covid-19 committee - refers to the frequency of testing that may be required in long-term residential care settings. When we map that out, it is possible to see how we quickly get through capacity. I expect new…

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I would appreciate his privately conveying to me any examples he has of such situations. Although what he stated is correct, the HSE in its plan has given a commitment that, starting from Monday, 18 May, it will take an average of one or two days from a swab being taken for test results to be received. The overwhelming majority of people should be receiving results much more quickly than was previously the case. That is certainly the feedback I have received from people, …

I know the Deputy has been advocating on behalf of this group of patients for a considerable period and I thank him for his work in that regard. What he has stated is correct. My officials and I have met several Deputies, including him, in respect of this matter, and I have met several of the patients awaiting this drug and their families. I am disappointed that some are still waiting for it. Rather than giving false hope or false commitments, I will arrange to meet the Deputy via videoconference or telephone early…

I have not yet seen that breakdown of costs. I expect to be briefed on the matter by the Secretary General or another senior official of my Department as part of the review process we intend to undertake as per the agreement. That is due to commence at the end of this month. It is a review process of 30 days. I have not yet seen the breakdown of costs but I intend to be briefed on it.

I must say that I find the comparison with Siteserv a little grotesque when one remembers what we were trying to do here. We were trying to make sure that we had ventilators and rooms for Irish people who might be struggling to breathe and fighting for their lives during a pandemic in which we could have seen 39,000 of our citizens die at this stage. I will never, ever regret making sure that we did everything we possibly, humanly could to obtain access to every single bed, ventilator, nurse, doctor and healthcare …

I thank Deputy Fitzpatrick for raising this important matter. In regard to Dealgan House Nursing Home, I very much welcome the fact HIQA is due to carry out an inspection in regard to Dealgan and I will be guided by the outcome of that, as I am sure the health service will be. HIQA is the regulator and has the ability to go into any nursing home and inspect it, and it is right and proper that it is going to do that. I join with the Deputy in paying tribute to staff. An impression has been given, not by the Deputy b…

I thank Deputy Fitzpatrick for raising an important and very sensitive matter. These are major decisions that we take as individuals and sometimes take in consultation with our families. I can only imagine how difficult it is for people at a time of huge grief. I will reflect on what the Deputy has said and will respond to him in writing. I hear very clearly his call in this regard and I will consider the HIQA documentation he has referenced and will reply to him in writing.

I join with the Deputy in paying tribute to healthcare workers across the country. The point he makes is a very interesting one, that they have been at work when many of us have been staying at home, and the Deputy raises their concern in respect of their children and their children's education. The Deputy will understand that it is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, but I will certainly raise the matter with him and ask that he or I respond to the Deputy directly. I thank the Deputy …

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I do not have the information to hand but from my memory, I understand that there was a pain consultant working within Children's Health Ireland, I think in Crumlin, who left the position for a variety of reasons. I wish the consultant well and understand this person was very highly regarded by patients and families who are really feeling that loss. The last time I checked I understand the HSE was in the process of trying to recruit a replacement. On foot of the…

The first thing we do when sourcing any equipment is to try to source it from wherever we can. I am very pleased that we were able to secure some international supply chains to get access to personal protective equipment and so on. The Deputy's general point is on the importance of trying to support indigenous industry. This issue has been raised by a number of Deputies in the House. I have spoken to the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation about how we can work together to support Irish businesses in t…

I thank Deputy O'Donoghue for highlighting this issue. My Department provides public health advice and other line Departments interact. I will certainly bring the issue raised to the attention of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and ask that his Department respond directly to the Deputy.

I believe they have but truthfully I would need to-----

I will confirm that in writing so as not to mislead the Deputy.

I believe we now have enough laboratories on board to deliver 100,000 tests per week. There are 41 laboratories being used across the country, mainly hospital laboratories, as well as some academic laboratories and private laboratories. I will get a breakdown of those for the Deputy.

Yes, I will.

I understand.

We will not have the nursing home debate because we do not agree on that and it would take up time. We will get to debate it one day. There is vacant capacity in the private hospitals but, to be clear, we do not want to get the capacity in our health service to 100%-----

Let me agree with the Deputy on this point. I want us to see greater utilisation of that capacity but, as Dr. Colm Henry of the HSE has said, we have to do it in a safe manner. Even in the case of surgeries the Deputy talks about wanting to be recommenced, it is not just a matter of flicking a switch. We will have to look at how we can provide it safely and how we can bring people back into our health service safely-----