Dáil debates

Thursday, 25 November 2021

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions

 

12:00 pm

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There has been extremely high and sustained demand for Covid-19 testing at community test centres over the past number of weeks. This reflects both the high prevalence of the disease in our community at the moment but also the fact that there are many other respiratory illnesses and viruses circulating in the community. With so many people, hundreds of thousands of people every day, experiencing symptoms of cold, flu, Covid-19 and other illnesses, no system in any country could cope with this level of demand. That is the situation we are in now. As is the case during many periods of the pandemic, it is necessary for us to prioritise and adjust testing criteria in order to prioritise those most in need of a test.

The system is operating in excess of surge capacity and, as a result, decisions in respect of the prioritisation of test availability have been necessary. Priority is now being given to those for whom a GP believes a test is warranted and close contacts who are symptomatic. Those two groups are having their tests prioritised. Ensuring these two groups are prioritised does not mean that test slots may not be available on the booking portal at a particular point in time. It is important to say, however, that the system is constantly monitored and extra appointments are added throughout the day. We now have the capacity to test over 30,000 people a day, which is more than was ever the case at any point in this pandemic.

The high prevalence of Covid-19 in the community and the extremely high demands on the testing system make it prudent from a public health point of view to adhere to appointment-based testing at this time. The HSE is making every effort necessary to respond to the very significant demand arising for PCR testing, including the recruitment of additional community test centre staff and also making arrangements with private providers, where available.

Despite any delays that may be experienced, it is critical that we reiterate the public health advice that if people are experiencing the symptoms of Covid - a high temperature, a new cough or a change in perception of taste or smell - they should restrict their movements, stay at home and avoid interacting with other people in their household, at least until they have the test and get their test result back.

It is also important to point out in response to the Deputy’s comments that people who are off sick with Covid, have been told to self-isolate or are at home waiting for a test do qualify for the enhanced illness benefit payment. That remains in place and is paid at a much higher rate than is the case in Northern Ireland, for example, where the Deputy’s party has been in charge of the administration for more than 20 years.

On sick pay, as a Minister, I am personally committed to sick pay legislation and I am determined to get it over the line. Legislation is currently in committee and is being scrutinised by the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which is chaired by a Sinn Féin Deputy, as Deputy Doherty knows. I appreciate that the committee wants to carry out the scrutiny thoroughly but I encourage it to complete that pre-legislative scrutiny sooner rather than later so that I can bring the legislation into the House. That is the rate-limiting step at the moment.

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