Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is no problem. The only area we are challenged is in respect of day care centres that are part of or associated with a community nursing unit. These are residential facilities and it is no longer appropriate to bring people from the community into a community nursing unit because believe it or not, we are still dealing with Covid-19 in those areas, as well as other respiratory illnesses and flu. The situation has changed. At a previous time, people could come in from the community.

They were able to share the same dining rooms and the same sitting rooms. That is no longer possible. In that case, and not only in Áras Mhic Dara but all over the country, the 7% or 8% of nursing home day care centres that we have not been able to open are still closed because they are associated with a HSE community nursing unit. I have asked those that are open to put more of an effort into communicating with older people residing within the local community to let them know that they are open, and they have done this. Obviously, they did not know it was open because they would have come if they had known. In addition, the message will be communicated through local media. Since day care centres reopened, we have seen that not as many people are attending them as before. People are finding it harder to reconnect. People who used to attend three or four days a week are now happier with one or two days a week. For this reason, many of our day care centres are only open three days a week.

I think this is the fifth time that Deputy Connolly has raised this. I know she is frustrated but I will make sure the information will go out. I am keeping on top of this. As soon as they have the appropriate numbers - they have said eight is appropriate - the day care centre will open. I know the Deputy will do her bit to advertise that fact on her own media platforms.

See this speech in context