Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

At this point we all accept that the period of time we are dealing with is at least six to nine months. A number of Members mentioned the necessity for test, trace and isolate capacity. I reiterate that somebody must examine areas such as Dundalk and north County Louth, which has problems at present with an increase in cases. However, the test centre is moving to Ardee. That must be examined. In fairness, Deputy Munster has been strongly urging that Drogheda also needs a test centre. These are two major urban areas.

Members referred to the flu vaccine. We must ensure we have the stocks and the capacity. This must happen because otherwise we will create a pile of problems for ourselves.

A number of Members have said that the plan has stop-gap fixes and spoke about the need for more long-term planning, particularly on delivering ICU bed capacity. I hope some of their questions will be answered, be it by the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, or the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly.

I wish to deal with a number of issues regarding non-Covid care. I previously raised the dental treatment services scheme, DTSS. I have been contacted by a number of people who use these services and also use intellectual disability services. There are far fewer dental practitioners using the scheme at present. It is a difficulty for anybody who has a medical card. It requires action and a delivery plan because there does not appear to be a solution at present. We have all heard the horror stories about children in very bad circumstances.

Today, one of my colleagues raised the fact that St. John of God Community Services says it will cease its involvement in the provision of community services by 1 October 2021. It currently provides intellectual, disability and mental health services to more than 8,000 children, adolescents and adults and employs 3,000 staff and volunteers in 300 locations across Dublin, Kildare, Kerry, Wicklow, Meath and Louth. A large number of people will be impacted, including workers. Families are incredibly worried about whether the service provision will happen. We must get some type of solution. I am thinking of the families, the service users and the workers in places such Drumcar and the St. John of God Venegas Centre in Dundalk. Perhaps we could get an answer regarding a plan.

Like many Members, I am worried that this plan does not deal with mental health services. I spoke to the Ministers of State, Deputies Rabbitte and Butler, earlier this week about a number of cases of County Louth that are incredibly important and which will require a follow-up meeting with mental health services in the county. Perhaps the Minister of State would be good enough to meet some of the families to hear about their issues, because it is an ongoing situation and we need to provide some clarity on protocols and a solution that facilitates a service that people deserve. I would be grateful if that could happen as quickly as possible.

I am also curious about another issue relating to St. John of God Community Services. I understand that a system had been set up whereby a portal was to be opened and services were to put in their requests for what they would require to operate in the present circumstances. While I accept that, at times, not every request will be delivered, I am confused about how we went from that to a situation where St. John of God Community Services is saying it is ceasing operations. There should be clarity about that as soon as possible.

As this is my last opportunity to speak in the House this week, I welcome the fact that the European Commission has taken legal action against the British Government due to its illegal action with the Internal Market Bill, which is endangering the Irish protocol, the withdrawal agreement, the Good Friday Agreement and business, society and life across Ireland.

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