Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will try to answer as many of the Deputy's questions as I can in the two minutes remaining. I wish to see CervicalCheck screening back as soon as possible. Obviously, that must be done in a way that is safe for staff and women. I will meet the National Screening Service again tomorrow. It is due to provide restart dates for all four screening programmes by the end of this month. The restart date and a plan for how it intends to recommence will be shared with all Deputies and, most important, service users, women and men, by the end of this month.

On PPE, I am constantly in discussions with the HSE on this issue. Obviously, it needs to ensure we have enough PPE equipment not just for now, but for any second wave that may come. It has done a very good job of securing a supply line, something that, sadly, not every country managed to do. We are now looking at how we can ramp up domestic production where appropriate and are using our State agencies to assist in that regard.

I will revert to the Deputy on the plans to hire an anaesthetist for Bantry General Hospital. It sounds to me like a very sensible and important thing to do, but it is a matter for the HSE and I will discuss the matter with it.

I apologise that nobody reverted to the Deputy regarding the National Ambulance Service and his 89 year old constituent. Last week, he told me about the proposal to bring her to CUH rather than Bantry and the family involvement thereafter. I will make sure he receives a written response on that issue.

I was pleased to write to the Deputy regarding congregated settings in Bantry. He has asked two specific questions regarding the risk assessment and whether the extended date deadline will be met. I will provide answers in writing to those questions.

On the loss of life in nursing homes, there is a sad multitude of reasons for this. In the middle of the pandemic, it is, perhaps, too soon to be able to identify fully those reasons. We have seen a distressing pattern across the world and there are clearly lessons to be learned.

I am sure Deputy Danny Healy-Rae is very pleased that Kerry has not had a new Covid case for 28 days. Obviously, we need to keep that going. On testing, my understanding is that there are more than 40 laboratories involved in testing. We are always looking for new testing methodologies. The Deputy referred to such a test. HIQA carries out our health technology assessments. We are always interested in the identification of new and better tests.

I take seriously the point made by the Deputy on reopening the health service. The HSE board is considering its non-Covid care plan. I will write to the Deputy to provide details in that regard. We intend to ramp up non-Covid care in the coming days and weeks.

See this speech in context