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

I thank the Deputy. It is important to point out that according to the most recently available HSE data from 10 May, more than 6,675 applications have been processed under TAPS and €93.9 million in direct financial support has been provided to the nursing home sector. In total, €42 million has been made available for this year while €92 million was provided in 2020. There are also additional supports available for PPE, Covid response teams and so on. The good news is that this was never meant to be a permanent scheme; it is a temporary scheme. There has been a substantial improvement in the levels of the virus in nursing homes. Serial testing is indicating very low levels of the virus. Clearly, as society begins to reopen, these supports will be reviewed and the Minister for Health and his Department will be in touch with the nursing home sector to work that out.

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