Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Nash for his questions and, while I acknowledge that he is stepping in for his party leader today, for his ongoing work on a lot of these issues.

On the flu vaccine, I will ask for a detailed response to be sent to the Deputy. I have a detailed note here but if I give it now it would take up all the time. Essentially, the advice from the national immunisation advisory committee is being followed. It did not advise the whole country, it advised at-risk groups. I am delighted to say that the HSE has already forward purchased a vast number of the vaccines. The proposal and the plan are that the vaccine would be provided free to the at-risk groups. I have the detail here but in the interests of time I will get it to the Deputy. In addition, there are 600,000 nasal doses, which are for children. A lot of work has been done. The advice from the people who understand this best is to take that approach. It does not mean that the Deputy and I, for example, will not be in the at-risk group, and if needed that he or I should not get the jab. We should. The advice is to proceed as we are. It will be the most comprehensive provision and, obviously, it is being taken in the context of keeping people well and out of hospitals for the reasons we all understand.

I thank the Deputy for raising the pay points and especially of low paid workers. Let me take it away, reflect on it and we will get back to the Deputy.

On infection rates, I was a member of the committee when the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, gave us exactly these rates. I discussed them at length subsequently with the INMO. The rate described is the percentage of all the positive tests in Ireland and the percentage of these cases that is healthcare workers. From memory, I believe the number given was 43%. The INMO, very fairly, said that when they compared that figure with other organisations around the world it was the highest of any who were involved. I looked at this in detail. The figure is highly variable on what each country tests. If a country focuses on testing healthcare workers and at the same time the community rates are very low, then obviously one will get a much higher percentage. The feeling is that this is what has happened. As important, we have looked at the percentage of healthcare workers who have tested positive. On that metric Ireland is way below and is doing very well by international standards. While there is no acceptable number, compared with other comparable countries we are doing well. I will get a detailed note to the Deputy on how all of that is working.

I shall now turn to the bereavement compensation. It is intended that it be applied retrospectively and across the board to front-line workers. This includes HSE staff, nursing home staff, section 38 and section 39 staff, agency staff, home care workers and agency home care workers. It is very broad. Currently it is specifically for those people who work hands-on with Covid-19. I will take the Deputy's points away about other workers in the system also. We have to do right by anyone who has contracted this disease while working for the State in a healthcare system. I will certainly take it under review.

I am aware the Deputy has raised the matter of Dealgan House several times. My view is that the HIQA report has come in, the expert report is coming and I imagine these issues will be discussed.

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