Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are two parts to that issue, namely, the people who very kindly came back from abroad to help our country and the people looking in the other direction, who were thinking of going abroad but did not do so because of the travel restrictions and the desire to help their country. I spoke to the CEO of the HSE about both groups this morning. He and I are of a mind that we need a specific campaign to keep those people. This is a once-in-a-generation chance to break the cycle by which really highly qualified people leave our shores to work in somebody else's health service. We need to address that.

Regarding long-term residential care facilities, I am really pleased that as a result of the work of the Irish people we were able to lift the blanket ban on visitor restrictions earlier than we originally envisaged and we were able to do it in line with public health advice.

However, it is still a very fragile situation and we have talked often about the very vulnerable people in nursing home settings. I am delighted that we are now seeing reunions of family and friends but I am conscious of balancing that with making sure we keep the virus out of nursing homes. We published a significant public health guidance document, Covid-19 Guidance on visitations to Residential Care Facilities, on 5 June to assist and support long-term care services management, residents and families, and we will keep that guidance under review.

In terms of the specifics of the Deputy's question, it will all very much depend on how weak we can make the virus in our communities. The signs are good in that regard but it needs continued watching.

See this speech in context