Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that Deputy Healy-Rae outlined his concern being primarily for the people in the facility because in respect of everybody in our country, regardless of how they got to our country, whether they are a citizen or not a citizen, whether they are seeking asylum, we have a duty of care to everybody during this global pandemic and treating everybody equally in that regard. That is why I am very reluctant on the floor of the House to provide information on one residential setting - a direct provision centre - that I would not provide about a nursing home, a disability facility or a mental health facility. We need to respect their confidentiality and ensure the information that is published and commented on is the same. However, I will ask my officials if more can be said about this and I will talk directly to the Minister for Justice and Equality on the matter and come back to Deputies Michael Healy-Rae and Danny Healy-Rae.

I do not know about the issue of testing, nor necessarily should I because that would be confidential information about those residents. However, I know that as we ramp up our testing, we are targeting that extra testing at vulnerable groups of people more susceptible to the virus. I will write to the Deputy in respect of the question.

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