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

The situation in nursing homes is heart-rending and very difficult. This was presented well last night by RTÉ's "Prime Time", which assessed the situation. From a humane point of view, this is very difficult and sad for residents and their families. It is heartbreaking to see the individual stories of wives who are not able to meet their husbands and vice versa. We have to take strong advice on this issue because the other side of the story is that nursing home residents bore the brunt of the first phase of Covid. There were very high mortality rates in our nursing homes. We are very anxious to prevent a reoccurrence of this during the second phase and through the remainder of the pandemic. That is where the balance has to be struck. On antigen testing, the HSE is looking at applying it in certain healthcare settings. Hospital settings may be first and we may follow on from there.

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