Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is not so much about playing catch-up. I looked into this situation to see why some religious orders were registered with HIQA and others were not. They took that decision themselves. My understanding is that this situation dates to 1992 when nursing homes were first regulated. I am open to correction on that but there was an opportunity then. Some religious orders that operate nursing homes are registered with HIQA and others chose not to be.

Regarding the supply of PPE supports, 23 Covid teams are on the ground to support anyone in nursing homes. The HSE has been to the fore. Regardless of whether a home is public, private or voluntary, the supports are there for whoever needs them.

The roll-out of the vaccination programme to religious orders and those living in communal settings has started this week and we hope to have it finished by the end of February. I must temper that statement by saying it is dependent on supply, but that is our aim. Twenty-eight days later, people will receive their second doses. They are not being forgotten about. Now that we have the list of all of these settings, we have complete oversight of them.