Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Our first priority is to save lives. We are in a battle against Covid and every measure we take, every response and every part of our national armour is to protect Irish people and families. It is the worst crisis we have faced in generations. I think of the more than 2,000 families who have lost loved ones, of people who have gone to funerals with limited numbers and of people who cannot hug during a period of grief. We stand together with them. Ireland stands united in this battle. I pay tribute to everyone who has adhered to the rules relating to this lockdown. I know the challenges and difficulties of loneliness and isolation. I know the impact on businesses and the stress that loss of income puts on families. I know the anxiety that everyone feels every day and the fear of spreading Covid. I know sometimes the load feels too much to bear, but the end is in sight.

Thanks to the response of our public health advisers, through NPHET, and that of the Government, Ireland is one of the leaders in Europe. Only Finland and Iceland have lower numbers. In the next day or so we will hear positive news for people in Ireland to move out of level 5, as we all hope and wish for, and to have more normality as Christmas approaches. However, our guard needs to stay up. Our job is to keep people out of hospital.

The Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, is here today. What is the advertising campaign for the winter flu vaccine, which is a major part of keeping older people out of hospital? There has only been a 20% uptake rate in respect of a free vaccine. Nursing homes have also been mentioned. I think of one close to my home. What further measures has the HSE put in place to ensure an immediate response to any new outbreaks? It should not take Twitter to ensure that we get a response.

This morning, I was very proud to speak at the very first meeting of the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Mental Health, chaired by Senator Black. We heard from representatives from the Mental Health Reform group. I am very happy that the Government has allocated €1 billion in respect of mental health, an increase of more than €50 million on last year's budget. It comprises €38 million for new measures, including a continuation of the Covid-19 supports. However, Jigsaw notes a 50% increase in referrals. The HSE's child and adolescent mental health service has also noted an increase in referrals. In what way can we help with an online, print and television campaign regarding how people of all ages can reach out? There is a very dark aspect to mental health at the moment. I remind people to text "hello" to 50808 or log on to mentalhealth.ie for help.

How are we working with eHealth to access technologies to support reducing the numbers on our waiting lists for acute interventions? I know Healthy Ireland falls within the brief of the Minister of State. What policies does Healthy Ireland have to keep people in good mental health?

Scientists and researchers in our colleges and universities are working together to find a solution. Research will save lives across pharma, medtech and healthcare. Safety and efficacy are crucial for the vaccines they are working on. The way we roll out the vaccine is crucial. We need to work with the community on the uptake of these vaccines. The European Medicines Agency needs to be given the time and space to approve the right vaccine for us to go forward with. What plans does the Government have to inform and build awareness and hope for the vaccine? What area of the HSE will be involved in managing the communications on the vaccine to ensure good uptake?

I offer my thanks to the Leader, Senator Doherty, in her previous role as a Minister, and to all of those who stepped up at a time of crisis. I thank all the heroes and volunteers in our communities who help others in challenging situations. I thank our healthcare and front-line staff who have been going non-stop since March and have done Trojan work. The best of us are working to keep people safe and to keep our country running.It is to know that the measures taken by the Government are to put people first. There will be a better year in 2021. We will get through this, and we will have an approved and safe vaccine. Until then, I thank all those who are working to do their best for us.