Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the serious challenge that is direct provision in particular in the context of the current public health situation but I assure all Deputies that improvements are being carried out on a daily basis to ensure the comforts of all of those involved. There are actually 69 residents in Cahersiveen. There is capacity for 150. Anybody who has tested positive was given the opportunity to move to one of the specially designated centres of which there are four, particulars of which I mentioned earlier. Deputy Bríd Smith's comments were repeated by Deputy Barry. We are being accused in the first instance of contracting out or in some way blaming health for guidance yet on the other hand, we are told that we have do not have health expertise. I make no apologies in this House or anywhere else for saying we follow the advice of public health and the HSE. That is what we are doing because we acknowledge they are the ones who provide the expertise but we will continue to provide improved facilities in Cahersiveen and all of the centres. I would be happy to include Deputy Barry in the ongoing process of information of which both Deputies Michael and Danny Healy-Rae are apprised

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