Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure Deputy Smith that I am never glib when it comes to this pandemic. I was making a particular point because there has been a great deal of commentary - sometimes it is made in this House and sometimes it is made elsewhere - on whether the nursing home sector was left behind. I hear it and I want to respond to it because that is what we can do in here. I am not sure whether the Deputy could point to many other countries where there has been a widespread testing programme of asymptomatic residents and staff, a temporary financial scheme using taxpayers' money for private businesses, redeployment of staff, a home care worker scheme and personal protective equipment being provided. I am simply making that point. I am proud that we have taken a policy decision to make these interventions in the interests of keeping residents safe. That was the point I was making.

I am not aware of any new guidance being issued but I will check that. If I am wrong in that regard, I will write to the Deputy.

The Deputy asked for my view on nursing home cases. My view is that this has been at the absolute frontline of our Covid-19 battle in recent weeks and months and it remains a major focus and priority for me. As I said, we are now beginning to see the number of new cases in nursing homes decline. There are now approximately 50 new cases so far each day whereas there were 100 new cases a day previously. I believe that is as a result of the testing that has been done. We can see the benefit of that testing. We obviously need that to be recurring. We need to go back and we need to have a regular programme of testing. That is NPHET's plan.

On meat plants, as the Deputy is aware, the Government decided to categorise the manufacture, production and processing of food and beverages as essential services under the regulations. Food production systems in Ireland have continued to operate. No food shortages have arisen. Where essential work cannot be carried out other than in a workplace setting, such as in meat plants and food production and processing facilities, employers are required to have protocols in place for the protection of their employees in the context of the current public health crisis. These protocols have been put in place. Examples of action taken to protect employee safety vary from plant to plant but may include the reduction of throughput rates of plants; the extension of operating hours and other safeguards; checking of temperatures of people entering the plants; the provision of additional of personal protective equipment; the use of Perspex screens; and other additional facilities to support physical distancing measures. I will send the Deputy my note on the issue so as not to take up Deputy Paul Murphy's time.

Deputy Smith asked about the issue of direct provision and Cahersiveen. I had a meeting yesterday with the Minister for Justice and Equality, his Department officials, Department of Health officials and the HSE on direct provision. A great deal of work is being undertaken to ensure that where someone has been identified as Covid-positive, that person is self-isolated.

I am satisfied that is happening. There is clear HPSC guidance on vulnerable group settings, including direct provision accommodation. That must be followed.

Face covering will definitely play a role - of that there is no doubt - but what is a safe and appropriate role is to be determined by NPHET. I will take on board the point the Deputy made about cost.

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