Mr. Phelim Quinn:

I agree with the Deputy that the circumstances of Covid-19 have exposed a significant number of weaknesses in the system. This is one of them. It is quite interesting that, as part of the solution and in the context of the work being done jointly by ourselves and the HSE in the endeavour to support the work of private nursing homes subsequent to the pandemic, we have seen greater co-ordination of care and a greater understanding of where care takes place within the sector. As already stated, on a number of occasions we have raised issues that we have had regarding the current regulatory framework. We have written papers and submitted them to the Department, which in the main is the policymaker in this instance.