Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are far from being out of the woods yet. Yesterday, the Department of Health confirmed 2,855 new cases of Covid-19, which is very worrying, with 515 people in hospital, of whom 91 are in ICUs. On the previous occasion on which an extension of these powers was proposed, last May, there were 448 cases, 99 people in hospital and 44 in ICU. We are far from being in the clear. The increase in cases is hugely concerning and we must do all we can to protect people's lives.

As the use of antigen testing is increasing, I am concerned that those tests are not catching some cases. A constituent contacted me recently whose workplace was impacted when a staff member had a negative result on an antigen test but a positive result on a PCR test. Are concerns being raised with the Minister about the proposals to roll out antigen testing? I also want to ask about the provision of free antigen testing. Many people have contacted me to point out that the tests are expensive. Will the Minister respond to me in writing on that point?

I welcome the announcement last night of the extension of the provision of booster vaccines to healthcare workers. Those vaccines will be administered from this weekend. Will the Minister comment on the booster vaccine programme for the community? I have had a large number of calls about booster shots for the over-60s. There is confusion about the timeline and also in regard to communication. I know how hard the Minister and his Department are working but it seems to me there is a fall-down in terms of communication. Whether the information is given out through newspapers, other media or by doctors, it is important that people get it. I know how hard doctors are working but I reiterate that we are still falling down when it comes to communication.

It is important that we take the opportunity to applaud the vaccinators.

For nearly two years now it has been very hard for people, and it is important that we recognise the hard work that is being done. It is also important that 90% of the population aged 12 years and over is fully vaccinated, and to point out to the Irish people that the progress in that regard has been very welcome. Vaccination is going to be our protection. Our collective efforts have protected thousands of people. They have been sick but because they have had the vaccination they are on the mend, thank God.

However, as of 27 October, a total of 5,436 Covid-19 related deaths have been reported in Ireland. There were 67 deaths notified in the week up to 27 October. These are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters. Each life has to be mourned. Every family has been affected in some way, and it is hard. This means that through the coming winter, possibly in the face of high levels of infection, we will remain dependent on public understanding and buy-in to the basic public health measures to minimise opportunities for this virus to transmit. Again, communication is very important, and we must ensure we mind each other, wash our hands, maintain social distance and wear a mask. The increase is very concerning. I spoke to many elderly people recently and there are concerns about going back out into the community. That is something we must look at.

I have a question about ventilation, particularly in schools. Schools in Carlow have exhausted a lot of recommendations to increase the ventilation, but the CO2 monitors supplied to the schools by the Department are still recording inadequate levels of ventilation. What is the update on this? I raised it with the Taoiseach two weeks ago so I wonder if there is an update on it.

I also have a question about hospital visits, something that has affected me, and in particular for families who have somebody who is near the end of life. I understand we must be mindful of staff and patients in hospitals, but where somebody is coming to the end of his or her life there have to be compassionate grounds for visiting. That is not there, and I have gone through this myself. I ask the Minister to look at compassionate grounds for visiting, particularly for families who have a member in hospital who is near the end of life. The Minister will know, and I know, from dealing with people in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny that it is very hard if somebody cannot get in to visit a loved one in a hospital when it is known that the person does not have a long time to live. I ask him to examine this and revert to me on it.

I realise we must support people and that businesses and individuals are trying to support our recovery. We must look out for each other, help each other and protect ourselves. It is all about minding and protecting each other. Hopefully, by early next year we will see changes, because it is very hard. I find from working in the community and trying to get back to as much normality as possible that people need a roadmap. We just need to make sure that we look after each other. I support this motion.

See this speech in context