Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 29 September 2020

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response

Covid-19: Update on Testing and Tracing and Rising Incidence in the State

Ms Anne O'Connor:

The Deputy is correct that we have not yet reopened day centres. We are looking at that. Dr. Siobhán Kennelly, our national clinical lead for older persons, is working with the operations team on that. We are trying to deploy people back. People who have been deployed into testing and tracing where we need those services, particularly as we head into winter, are being redeployed as we recruit. However, there are other challenges in terms of day centres. We have been working very closely with the voluntary sector in regard to older people, in particular ALONE and its helpline. There have been a number of other avenues in supporting older people. This has been a key initiative for us throughout Covid in terms of outreaching to older people. That is still there as far as I am aware.