Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his very positive comments on the facilities in Ardee. Carroll Village is a block of apartment-style independent living units housing mostly family groups. There has been no large-scale transfer of residents either in or out of the centre in recent months and they are entitled to travel, like anybody else, in whatever format or mode they so desire.

It is also very important to point out that in the national serial testing programme, we are looking at a 0.53% detection rate, which is quite low. There have been 18 positives out of 3,300 tests. This has been a feature of most serial testing programmes, including those in nursing homes and meat plants. This suggests, with regard to the origin and source of the virus, that by and large, transmission is in the community but it can spread very quickly when it comes into congregated settings. When we do a serial testing programme at any point in time there may be a very low level of the virus in that congregated setting. This is why the serial testing programme is regular and consistent to try to keep an eye on these congregated settings.

With regard to the Carnbeg Hotel, which is emergency temporary accommodation, people come to it using a variety of transport modes. I do not have the specifics on this but I can check.

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