Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister will be aware, 90% of deaths due to Covid-19 are among those aged over 65. All my questions today will be Covid-19-related. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre issued guidance for immediate implementation saying that surgical masks should be worn by healthcare workers when providing care within two metres of a patient, irrespective of Covid-19 status. Does the Minister agree that this should also be the case for home care workers, who see as many as six different people each day? Most people receiving home care are older or more likely to have an underlying health condition. I have been contacted by many home care workers who are concerned. That is my first question.

My second question is not exactly the Minister's remit, but he will certainly have influence in this regard as it affects the care of those cocooning during the Covid-19 pandemic. While I appreciate that we are coming into the summer months and the fuel allowance would not normally be needed at this time of year, we are in exceptional times. Older people are being asked to cocoon and are, therefore, unable to leave their homes, which is having a knock-on effect on their fuel usage. They cannot walk outside their homes or visit libraries or day care centres. I appreciate that the scheme has already been extended for four weeks, but it is due to expire on 8 May. Could the Minister use his influence to extend this again? When someone is cocooning and is not mobile, he or she can feel very cold.

My next question concerns nursing homes. The situation in nursing homes and care homes is still in need of urgent attention. According to HIQA, almost a third of nursing homes in Ireland have the Covid-19 virus. The agreement between the HSE and unions allowing for health staff to be diverted to private nursing homes, where needed, must be implemented urgently. I raised this two weeks ago. There are still issues around insurance indemnity. I acknowledge there has been movement on the issue, but it is dragging on and is causing a major issue where staffing is concerned.

I appreciate that testing in nursing homes has ramped up since last week and, as the Minister stated, 28,000 samples have been taken to date. There were two issues in nursing homes, namely, personal protective equipment, PPE, and staffing. I acknowledge that the position concerning PPE has improved significantly in many nursing homes whose representatives I have spoken to, but there are still huge staffing issues. The Government has tested 28,000 samples. It is imperative that the test results are accelerated, because staff members having to isolate for 14 days while waiting or a test result places significant pressure on staff numbers.

My final question relates to asylum seekers located in Cahirsiveen. I raise the question on public health grounds. According to RTÉ news last night, there were 22 confirmed cases.

The fear and anxiety expressed by the residents, pleading to be removed from fear of catching the virus, was intense. The locked gate was a terrible image. There is also the worry and anxiety that it has caused for residents and businesses. I ask the Minister for an update.

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