Dr. Samuel McConkey:

The data we get from the Department of Health indicates six outbreaks in nursing homes since the middle of August. We do not know exactly how big each of those was or whether the outbreak comprised staff, patients or residents. We do not know the outcomes. It has been the case that there have been outbreaks, meaning that at least two people had infections and were linked to a nursing home.

As we know there have also been outbreaks linked with workplaces. We have been discussing private homes and nursing homes but workplaces must also be made secure and safe so people can work there. We have not done that well. The housing and accommodation for some of the staff is cramped and crowded in the likes of hostels. The transport to work has been by bus and so on. This has not been the case just in Ireland. We have seen similar scenarios in Singapore, North America and in Northern Ireland in Cullybackey. The social conditions and lack of stable contracts for people in the workforce, which means they are unable to take off a day because their noses are running, cause people to go to work when they are not well because they will lose money.

We really need a robust legislative approach to indicate that our nation is not happy to tolerate zero-hour contract or gig economy conditions, which lead people to live in crowded hostels rather than in groups of three to five. We are now at this seven months and employer behaviour has not changed. We really need a legislative approach.