Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for coming here today.

I sympathise with the families of those who died in nursing homes and community hospitals due to coronavirus and pay tribute to the dedicated staff in each of these care facilities who are working under enormous pressures.

While we are concentrating today on nursing homes, we should not forget community hospitals that were not brought up to standard in 2016, which was the first deadline for them to be made 80% single-bed occupancy. I am blessed to have so many excellent nursing homes in my constituency which have been Covid free but they know this can never be taken for granted. I have spoken to these nursing homes - Cramers Court in Belgooly, Bushmount and CareChoice in Clonakilty, Deerpark in Bantry, Fairfield in Drimoleague and Skibbereen residential centre. I also spoke to those in the community hospitals in west Cork. I thank each and every staff member who fought bravely to protect their patients.

HIQA set standards of 80% single-room occupancy by 2016. The Minister signed a statutory instrument which extended this deadline to 2021. Maybe the Secretary General would answer the following question. Will the extended date of January 2021 be met in all of the community hospitals and nursing homes?