Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with the Minister of State, Deputy Butler. I very much welcome this opportunity to update the House on the Government's easing of the Covid-19 restrictions. I am joined by the Ministers of State, Deputies Butler and Rabbitte.

Ireland has reached a major crossroads in our management of the Covid-19 crisis and, as we reflect on our journey to this point, we should recognise the positive position we are in as a result of the extraordinary efforts of people throughout the country. We acknowledge, in particular, the public support for our national vaccination programme, the continuing high levels of adherence to public health guidance and, of course, the extraordinary dedication of our front-line workers.

At every stage of this crisis, the Government has endeavoured to follow the science. We have been guided by the public health advice and, first and foremost, by the need to protect lives, public health and our essential services. In line with this approach, the decision of 21 January to lift the majority of the remaining Covid-19 restrictions was based in the first instance on the Government's consideration of the latest advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET.

On 20 January, NPHET agreed that the current profile of the disease allowed for a fundamental change in the management of Covid-19 in Ireland. At that stage, NPHET noted that the epidemiological profile of Covid-19 provided a broadly positive outlook. While incidence of the disease remained high, the data indicated that this was reducing and demand for testing was also reducing. While the burden on acute hospital care remained significant, the number of cases in hospitals was also in decline. Numbers in ICU, daily admissions and cases requiring mechanical ventilation were also relatively stable. It was clear from the advice received that the incidence and force of infection in the population were past their peak and declining rapidly. Perhaps most significantly, the evidence confirmed the positive news that during the Omicron wave, there has been a reduced burden of severe health outcome compared to previous waves of infection.

We have seen these trends continue since then and the current epidemiological data continues to provide a broadly positive outlook. As of Monday, there were 692 confirmed cases in hospitals across the country, down from 855 a week previously. On the same day, there were 72 confirmed cases in ICU, compared with 76 on 24 January.

While the majority of restrictions have now been lifted, we must remember that the Covid-19 pandemic is not over. The threat of new variants remains, and the Government is now focusing on ensuring that systems of surveillance and response and broader health service capacity are strengthened to ensure Ireland is best placed to deal with any new emerging threat.

As Minister of State with responsibility for public health, well-being and the national drugs strategy, I take this opportunity to say a few words about the easing of Covid-19 restrictions within addiction services and the continuation of measures to protect people who use drugs and alcohol and to strengthen services. From the outset of the pandemic, the Government identified drug treatment and addiction services as essential services. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the leadership and commitment of addiction services, including the HSE, community-based services and voluntary service providers in ensuring their services operated safely during the pandemic.

There were many innovations in the delivery of drug and alcohol services during Covid-19, especially the use of online services. I want to ensure that these gains are captured in the strategic priorities for the national drugs strategy in the period 2021 to 2025. The additional resources I am providing for community-based drug and alcohol services and HSE addiction services in 2022 will consolidate these gains. Drug and alcohol support groups and treatment programmes help individuals to build recovery capital and to avoid relapse into harmful patterns of substance use. Over the course of the pandemic, the Department of Health developed guidance to support the continued operation of drug and alcohol support groups and treatment programmes. I want to acknowledge the co-operation of support groups with this guidance. I am pleased to say that in line with the lifting of public health restrictions, drug and alcohol support groups and programmes can now operate as normal, while participants are advised to continue to wear masks as appropriate in crowded indoor settings.

I am aware of the constraints faced by residential drug and alcohol treatment services during Covid-19 due to social distancing and other public health measures. I support the efforts of the HSE and voluntary service providers to restore services to pre-Covid-19 levels. I have provided an additional €3.3 million to expand capacity in residential treatment services. Altogether, this funding will provide an additional 475 treatment episodes in a full year.

During Covid-19, the rapid induction of new clients on opioid agonist treatment resulted in approximately 1,000 additional people receiving treatment. Not alone did this treatment help them to manage their addiction, there is evidence that it was effective in minimising the risk of contracting Covid-19 among this vulnerable population. The Department of Health has provided an additional €4.2 million to continue to support these new clients in their care plans.

While I welcome reopening of the night-time economy, we must bear in mind the risk to public health from increased drug and alcohol use in this setting. While it is always safer not to use drugs, we have a duty to protect people who choose to use drugs in bars, nightclubs and at music festivals. The HSE nightlife campaign entitled “If you go, go slow”, seeks to create a safer nightlife experience for all participants. The HSE is promoting harm reduction messages through social media and providing information resources in nightclubs and colleges. I support the recommendations in the Emerging Drug Trends and Drug Checking Report 2021 for a health-led approach to drug use in the night-time economy and at festivals. The Department of Health will work with all stakeholders to ensure their implementation.

A range of measures were implemented to reduce the spread of Covid-19 among people who are homeless and other socially excluded groups. The public health response greatly minimised the risk of illness and death from Covid-19 for these groups and improved their access to health care services. These achievements highlight the importance of homeless services and addiction services continuing to work together, as is committed to in the Government’s Housing for All plan. The Department of Health has provided an additional budget allocation of €10 million in 2022 to maintain public health measures for people who are homeless and to consolidate improvements in health care delivery.

While we recognise that Ireland is today in a positive position because of the efforts of the public and the dedication of our front-line workers, we continue to call on people to remain vigilant. As we move forward with this new phase in our country’s management of Covid-19, the public health advice is to continue to take appropriate individual actions based on our own risk assessment. Those who have symptoms of, or a diagnosis of, Covid-19 should restrict their movements to protect others. Protective measures in schools will continue until the end of February as the vaccination programme for children progresses.

Masks will continue to play an important role in reducing transmission of Covid-19 and requirements to wear masks in a range of settings are still in place. It is important that masks are made correctly, well fitted and worn properly. It is recommended that medical grade or FFP2 masks are used in a number of settings, including by anyone aged 13 years and older who is a confirmed case, a close contact or who has symptoms suggestive of Covid-19. These masks are also recommended for those over 60 years of age and vulnerable people of all ages in indoor or crowded outdoor places, and by anyone visiting a healthcare setting.

The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, will update the House further.

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