Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I offer my apologies to Deputy Kenny for the fact that we never got to have a debate on Spinraza. I am following up on some of the issues we discussed and which the Deputy raised with me in the House last week. I join with him in extending my sympathies to Melanie and her family and acknowledge the advocacy work he did with her. Perhaps it is a conversation we can pick up at another time and I would welcome that opportunity.

The Deputy is quite right to highlight the issue of healthcare workers. They have been at the front line at a time when the rest of us have stayed at home to protect our health. They have gone into work environments where they are more susceptible to catching the virus. We think of each and every one of them, in particular the seven healthcare workers who have lost their lives during this pandemic. We have prioritised the testing of healthcare workers in this country and have a broader definition of healthcare workers than some other countries, but that is a matter for another day when we look at the statistics. I had a very good meeting with the INMO on Monday and with the SIPTU health division. They have agreed to meet the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, HPSC, this week, presumably tomorrow or in the coming days, to get the data they are looking for and the answers to their questions. I am due to meet both again next week to check whether further information needs to be obtained. I am very happy to facilitate that. What modality that might take depends on how the meeting with the HPSC goes and whether their questions are answered satisfactorily.

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