Dáil debates

Thursday, 14 May 2020

Covid-19 (Health) - Statements

 

6:20 pm

Photo of Carol NolanCarol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I begin by asking about the actions and interventions that have been taken regarding nursing home staff shortages.

A number of staff were out of nursing homes due to testing for Covid-19, waiting for results and all of the rest. I sent an email to the Minister's office on 17 April about one nursing home that was at crisis point and I am very disappointed that I received no response whatsoever. I had to email six different individuals in Laois-Offaly HSE, and only after emailing them for a second time did I finally get a response. The delay in terms of our nursing homes are unacceptable and appalling. I have spoken directly to managers of nursing homes. They feel they have been neglected. I urge the Minister to take urgent action to try to address this crisis. I would be grateful for a written response to my questions.

My second issue is hospitals. The staff in our hospitals have played a fantastic and commendable role during this pandemic. It is at times like these that we realise just how important and crucial our hospital services are. Tullamore and Portlaoise hospitals are located in my constituency of Laois-Offaly. Uncertainty still hangs over Portlaoise hospital. It is unable to develop services and recruit staff because of the uncertainty in regard to its future. I appeal to the Minister to put that to bed for once and for all because my constituency needs this hospital. We need to ensure that at no time is any service downgraded. I appeal to the Minister to provide some certainty to the hospital.

My third issue concerns meat factories. I was contacted by constituents in Edenderry who informed me that 60 workers in the Rosderra Irish Meats plant have now been confirmed as having Covid-19. I wish the workers a speedy recovery and a return to full health, but there is major concern about this in the town. What protocols have been put in place? The Minister answered some of my questions in his response to Deputy Naughton but I want to stress the important of resolving and getting to grips with this issue because there is huge concern about clusters of Covid-19.

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