Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the 1,615 people who have passed away. While this has been a very significant week, we can never forget these people or their families. I also acknowledge the vast work done across the country but today I focus on my own county, Mayo, with the work done by health workers, carers, home helps, family carers and other professionals, which has been immense and under hugely challenging circumstances. There are specific difficulties which I have spoken to the Minister about. I would like his reviews. There are difficulties in Mayo University Hospital in particular. Staff have contacted me and other public representatives on the continuing, up to last week, cross-over of staff between Covid and non-Covid units. Staff are moving between units, traversing through one unit to get to the other. Second, they have raised the inadequate physical space in the hospital between the Covid unit and the non-Covid unit which makes this crossing over between units inevitable. Third, they have raised the absence of an isolation unit in Mayo University Hospital and also the district hospitals in Ballina, Belmullet and Swinford. Are there plans, as we catch our breath from what may only be the first wave, to invest in capital facilities in hospitals across Mayo and the rest of the country, looking at the lessons learned in recent months and putting investment in place to ensure that these hospitals are ready for what may be an ongoing Covid situation?

What are the testing levels of staff at Mayo University Hospital as well as all district hospitals and health facilities across Mayo? Some weeks ago, great effort was put in. Has that continued? Has it been updated? What percentage of staff at Mayo University Hospital were tested?

Finally, there is the matter of derogation. An issue has arisen across the country where HSE occupational health may advise someone who is defined as a close contact not to work but their line manager can ask or derogate them to work. What are the rules around that policy?

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