Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Before I get into long Covid, I call on the Government to launch a full independent review into the handling of Covid. We need answers to things like what happened in our nursing homes in 2020; how our ICUs across the country were under resourced and what improvements we have seen as a result; why the HSE lacked capacity despite all of the billions pumped into it; how the Government, the State broadcaster and many other national media outfits performed and what lessons have been learned; and finally can the Government introduce a restrictive covenant period in employment contracts to ensure that former high-ranking HSE officials are unable to take up employment with companies that have been subject to or awarded contracts during their tenure in the HSE. I hope that the Government will consider this as part of restoring confidence and ensuring transparency for the people of Ireland in its health service.

The Covid response has raised a lot of questions and there is no denying that Covid-19 has had a more significant and ongoing impact on some people more than others. I am sure we have all heard of cases from friends, family or constituents where Covid-19 has emerged as a major ongoing problem, sometimes for weeks and months after the initial infection. Long Covid is presenting itself in a variety of forms with a variety of symptoms. The ability of some people to return to work has been compromised or limited by a continuation of Covid symptoms, most commonly fatigue and ongoing breathing difficulties. Using the figures available to us, the inability to return to work or fully return to work may be affecting as many as 21,000 people. Obviously we hope that it will not be as high as that but we do need to have dedicated resources in our health system to help as many of those people back to their vibrant selves as possible.

The motion calls for the Government to do many things. One is to get to grips with staffing levels. Pay and terms and conditions in the health service where recruitment is an ongoing problem must be improved. We have heard promises of waiting lists being abolished and services being improved but this can only be done if we have the people to do it. There are no specific services for children with long Covid. As we know and recognise in other areas, children often need differentiated care for a variety of illnesses than adults. Children are obviously in a very important developmental stage physically, emotionally and socially. That is why long Covid may have more devastating and lasting effect on those who get it at an early age. The motion calls upon the Government to establish a dedicated and specialist-led long Covid clinic for children who are now without a dedicated centre. A dedicated team working solely on long Covid in children may be able to bring about better recovery and better outcomes, in particular the prevention of lasting mental health problems or stigma in later life.

For those of all ages currently suffering with long Covid this motion is also calling on the Government to develop an innovative and rehabilitative of recovery programme designed to meet the needs of those experiencing long Covid conditions and other post viral chronic conditions to ensure that they can make a full return to as full an active life as possible.

I remind the Government that in December 2020, it published a report reviewing the law of torts and current systems for the management of clinical negligence claims, led by Mr. Justice Charles Meenan.

In its report, the expert group states that it "accepts that there is a strong moral argument that the State, which actively encourages vaccination, should accept responsibility for those who suffer harm as a result". The report recommended that a vaccination compensation scheme be established as a matter of urgency. I hope the Government will acknowledge the findings of this report and introduce the scheme without further delay.

If those experiencing long Covid can get the help and support they need as soon as possible, outcomes will be better. This is the same for any illness. The earlier it is treated, the better the patient's chances are. Better personal, social and economic outlooks will be the result. I conclude that the Government is not opposing the motion and is evidently accepting it. Our hope is that the entire House will do likewise. I thank my colleagues, particularly Deputy Naughten and Cáit Nic Amhlaoibh, for putting the motion together.

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