Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There has been a significant increase in the incidence of Covid-19 in nursing homes, in which tens of thousands of people live day-to-day. If the vaccination date is, for example, next Tuesday and there is an outbreak before then, what happens? The Minister said if there was a small outbreak, vaccinations could continue but there is a question mark over cases of large outbreaks. There needs to be absolute clarity. I ask the Minister to ensure that all residents are tested if there is an outbreak. Anybody who has a negative test should get the vaccine, with no ambiguity or doubt.

I welcome what the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, said, that nursing homes must continue to play their part in having robust contingency plans in place and dealing with issues related to infection control and so on. Is she satisfied that all nursing homes are taking all of the assistance and meeting all of the requirements that they are obliged to?

My last question may require a written reply. The St. John of God service has residential units in County Louth and some in County Monaghan. It has about 400 people, some over 65 and some under 65. The over-65s thankfully have a definite date by when they will be vaccinated but I do not have clarity about the under-65s or about the staff. Will the Minister examine that issue and respond?

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