Results 6,521-6,540 of 12,470 for speaker:Louise O'Reilly

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (21 Jul 2020)

Louise O'Reilly: I thank the witnesses, in particular those who have come before us and have been generous with their time. The SIPTU submission states: There is no doubt that the experience of the pandemic has taught us many lessons. These experiences must form part of our planning for the future. In many cases, services were unprepared and did not have the essential equipment or training to support and...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (21 Jul 2020)

Louise O'Reilly: I will pause Mr. King there for a moment. Have the trade unions been involved in planning for a second wave? In that regard, have they had sight of the additional capacity we all know is needed? Have they had sight of the additional capacity the HSE has sourced? Has it sourced additional capacity? What has been the level of engagement in terms of preparation?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (21 Jul 2020)

Louise O'Reilly: Ms Keogh is right that there must be a whole-of-system approach. Has Ms Ní Sheaghdha any observations to make?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (21 Jul 2020)

Louise O'Reilly: There will certainly be very strong opposition to any suggestion of a recruitment moratorium from the Opposition benches. That is not acceptable. I was struck by what Ms Murphy said in her opening statement with regard to how she, in particular, and other staff are feeling overburdened, burnt out and overwhelmed. Those are very serious words. I sincerely hope the powers that be in the...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Louise O'Reilly: I will put a ten minute timer on my phone because I do not want to eat into anyone else's time. I have a number of questions, several of which relate to staffing. We all know, and the witnesses know as well as I do, that low staffing levels contribute to an inability to practise proper infection control. When a place is short-staffed it makes it almost impossible. This morning, we heard...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Louise O'Reilly: I have been hearing for decades from employers that it is the workers themselves who want the flexibility of precarious work. In my experience, that is not the case. While I respect there may be a small number for whom three-month contracts are sufficient, the vast majority, as articulated by their representatives, want those permanent contracts and it is good to see that commitment. When...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Louise O'Reilly: This morning, we heard from representatives on engagement on planning for a potential second wave. I will not get into the ins and outs of the infection rates but we have had acknowledgement that the infection rates among healthcare workers were unacceptably high and we know staffing has a contribution to make in this regard. I assume the HSE is planning, even if it is not talking to the...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Louise O'Reilly: The HSE always factors in a certain amount of absenteeism, sick leave, maternity leave, etc. into the workforce plan, winter initiative, winter planning and all the rest. What percentage is it factoring in for this plan in terms of healthcare workers who may be absent as we face into a potential second wave?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Louise O'Reilly: Absolutely. We heard evidence today from a trade union that staff were so worried about the prospect of losing their premium pay and other allowances that there was a suggestion they may have come to work sick. Is consideration being given to ensuring people are not out of pocket in any way? The witnesses know as well as I do that the basic rate is the basic rate, but many people working...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Louise O'Reilly: What payments would be made, if overtime is not being paid? Would the unsociable hours premium, twilight or anything like that normally be stacked into the payment? Is there a flat basic rate?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Louise O'Reilly: My final question relates to the HSA. I understand the line Minister responsible is the Tánaiste, Deputy Varadkar. I have raised an issue directly with him. As it currently stands, the HSA does not have a role in inspecting healthcare facilities. Acquiring Covid in the workplace is not considered to be an occupational injury, notwithstanding the fact that it was acquired as part of a...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Louise O'Reilly: I am asking if the witnesses have a view as to whether an infection acquired in the workplace should always be considered a workplace injury.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Louise O'Reilly: Is Dr. Kelleher saying that internal debate is ongoing within the Department, between the Department and the HSE, or with the representatives of workers and all stakeholders?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Louise O'Reilly: I am asking the HSE to have that debate. Is there someone specific who would need to ask Dr. Kelleher in order to spark that debate? It strikes me as an important debate.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Louise O'Reilly: It is a fairly urgent matter so it would be much appreciated if it were dealt with in days rather than weeks. Dr. Kelleher might correspond with me to advise at what stage his thinking is. It seems to me that the matter does not require a scientific interpretation. It is simply a fact that an injury acquired as a part of one's work is considered an occupational injury under normal...

Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Jul 2020)

Louise O'Reilly: I move amendment No. 3: In page 5, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: “(4A) The Minister shall ensure that monies loaned in accordance with the Covid-19 credit guarantee scheme shall— (a) be loaned interest free with zero repayments for the first 12 months of the loan, and (b) interest rates on such loans shall be capped at 2.5%, with interest only being...

Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Jul 2020)

Louise O'Reilly: I wish to respond to some of the Minister of State's points. I do not mean this in a disrespectful way given that he is in attendance, but we raised the issue last night of the relevant senior Minister not being in the Chamber. The Minister of State advised that was because there was a Cabinet meeting. I do not believe it was ongoing at the time, but I appreciate that he may have been...

Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Jul 2020)

Louise O'Reilly: That is offensive to Deputy Doherty.

Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Jul 2020)

Louise O'Reilly: The Tánaiste is not here today. That is the excuse he had last night.

Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Jul 2020)

Louise O'Reilly: He is not here today. It is important that that is recorded. He is not here today. The Minister of State has given an excuse for yesterday. We need a new excuse today.