Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to speak in this debate and I will obviously start with the context of Limerick city and county. A glimmer of good news emerged today when no additional cases of Covid-19 were recorded in Limerick. That is the first time that has happened for 24 days, since 17 August. This is a worrying time for the public but it is not a time to panic. We very much need to continue this trend. Limerick had 19 new cases yesterday but has none today. That is very positive.

What we need to do in Limerick is to heed the advice of the Department of Health, which is worth repeating. People should reduce their social contacts, take a step back and keep their distance from others. People should not drop their guard because they know someone to whom they are talking. On feeling any symptoms, people should isolate, contact their GP, not go to work and remember to take a free Covid test. People should wash their hands regularly throughout the day, wear a face covering and download the Covid tracker application.

My view at this point is that our policy around Covid must aim to live with the virus, as distinct from extinguishing it in the short term. I wish to start on a couple of areas. It is important that we continue the momentum in Limerick where there were no new cases today. That is to be welcomed and is a tribute to the people of Limerick and the health services. I note that additional test centres have now been established, which is to be welcomed. We must get back to being able to exist and that is one of the reasons that I supported the call for the reopening of the pubs. We must ensure that we have implemented strict conditions in pubs and I know that publicans are willing to adhere to that. Hotels are going through an equally difficult time. I met some hoteliers on Monday who want to see what can be done to ensure their businesses will continue to be viable.

The message I have for the people of Limerick city and county is that we must ensure that we continue this downward trend. The rate of infection was 66.2 persons per 100,000 of population yesterday. That will be brought down with the news that were no new cases today and that is to be welcomed.

I want us to look at the business sector and ensure that businesses are sustainable through supports to publicans, restaurateurs and retailers. We must ensure that we continue those welcome supports and the Brexit supports that were announced today.

I also want to touch on a topic in which the Minister of State is interested, namely, the area of disabilities. In Limerick, we have the Daughters of Charity, the Brothers of Charity, St. Gabriel's and St. Joseph's Foundation will also be coming into the area. We have been in touch with the Minister of State about funding to be provided for day services to ensure that people with disabilities are able to attend those services on a regular basis. The disability sector has been the most exponentially impacted area of all. The individuals who attend these services, their families and parents have been affected. We must ensure that those people can start to go to their day services. There is obviously a funding issue for the various organisations that I mentioned earlier, including the Daughters of Charity, the Bawnmore facility, St. Gabriel's and St. Joseph's Foundation. I know that the Minister of State is working on the winter initiative and she might give us an update on where that is. Many parents have been in touch with me and we must ensure that their children get back to day services in the Limerick area as quickly as possible.

The big challenge for us in Limerick over the short term is to get a downward trend in the spread of the deadly coronavirus. Today has been a step forward in meeting that challenge because there have been no new cases in Limerick for the first time in more than three weeks, since 17 August. We need to continue that progress, which is down to the vigilance of the Limerick public and health services in the city, county and region. We must continue to ensure that we can battle through this and that businesses and individuals can continue to function. That is important and I pay tribute to the Limerick public.

See this speech in context