Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank both witnesses for their presentations and contributions. We have many older buildings which are providing vital services. I am on the board of a hospital that was initially built in 1741. While it has undergone considerable adaptation, it is still an old building. Likewise, many of our public facilities are old buildings. If the witnesses were doing a national plan on this issue, what areas would they prioritise to get the changes that are required for filtration and air ventilation?

Unfortunately, many people contracted Covid in the past year in nursing homes and community hospitals. What major changes need to be made in those facilities? Should we set a timeline for each of those facilities to reach the required standard? What level of investment is required to get that done? Nursing homes are normally kept very warm and there is not a sense that fresh air is circulating in the place. Is that an area we should now be prioritising?