Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will arrange for someone in the Department to liaise with the Deputies from the south east. We had quite a good arrangement during the last Dáil, when we were all allowed to meet in person, and I am eager to keep it up, whereby local representatives are brought together to provide us with the benefit of local knowledge and local connections to get this project moving. I want to see the delivery of the cath lab. I note the new timelines referred to by the Deputy. Contractor selection is under way, the tender will be completed during the summer and construction will commence in the autumn. There cannot be any more slippage - I get that - and we are all eager to see that delivered.

On testing by nurses in long-term residential care facilities, the Deputy will be glad to know that not only do I agree but so does Dr. Tony Holohan and the HSE. That will be part of our testing strategy in nursing homes. We have a lot of extra capacity and how we best use that will be considered further by NPHET at its meeting tomorrow.

On the insurance industry and the renewal of premiums, I met representatives of Nursing Homes Ireland on this matter, I think during this week. I asked an official to link with that group. Nursing Homes Ireland was going to provide examples of nursing homes experiencing challenges in this regard that we then would provide to colleagues in the Department of Finance. I am also conscious that the Central Bank has a role in this issue from a consumer protection perspective. I would hate to hear or see any price gouging or any attempt by an insurance company to make a quick buck off the back of nursing homes and, most importantly, the interests of their residents during this pandemic. We should all keep a very close eye on that. I certainly intend to.

I take the point on the need for expertise on the nursing home expert review panel. I spoke to the group's chairperson, Professor Cecily Kelleher, a very eminent public health lead, yesterday. There will be a geriatrician, a senior nurse and a public advocate. I have made it clear to Professor Kelleher that if she needs further inputs or membership, I will look very favourably on her advice. One way or another, there will be a significant consultation.

On private hospitals, as I have already set out, the Government will consider this matter further on Friday. We will need extra capacity but the question of what is the right agreement in the future is under consideration.

I will ask the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, HPSC, if it can provide the information relating to data.

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