Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have three questions, the first of which is on long Covid. It has now been established that as many as 5% of people who contract Covid will suffer from long Covid. In Ireland, that represents more than 12,500 people.

More than 60 clinics have been established in the UK. What work has been done by the Department and the HSE on planning for the opening of clinics dealing with long Covid?

I published a Bill dealing with the regulation of homecare providers. What progress has been made in putting in a legislative structure for the regulation of homecare providers? With Covid, there will be a significant further move towards homecare.

The third issue, opening up regionally, was raised by Deputy Eoghan Murphy, but I do not think the Minister replied to it. The Cork-Kerry area has the lowest positive test rate in the country for Covid. Will we look at regional opening in our planning from 5 April onwards?

See this speech in context