Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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748. To ask the Minister for Health if nursing home visitation guidelines will be revised in relation to situations in which both the visitor and the resident have received their full Covid-19 vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11116/21]

Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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797. To ask the Minister for Health when family visits to nursing homes can recommence given that the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine for these residents is almost complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11325/21]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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812. To ask the Minister for Health if visits by family members to residents of nursing homes who have been vaccinated can now be permitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11355/21]

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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813. To ask the Minister for Health if visiting restrictions must remain in place for nursing home residents in cases in which all residents and staff have been fully vaccinated; if he has plans to amend this restriction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11358/21]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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886. To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether it is appropriate to relax further the visiting opportunities for residents of nursing homes who have been isolated for a long time given the Covid-19 vaccination programme in nursing homes has been completed; and if he will consider the merit in considering the vaccination of one visitor per resident to make visiting nursing homes safer. [11675/21]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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985. To ask the Minister for Health if he has explored the way in which visitation guidelines can be updated and reviewed to benefit residents' health and well-being following the successful roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine in nursing homes and long-term care facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12030/21]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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986. To ask the Minister for Health if the review of the HPSC guidelines regarding visits to nursing homes and long-term care facilities has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12031/21]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 748, 797, 812, 813, 886, 985 and 986 together.

The impact of COVID-19 on society in general and especially those living in nursing homes has been considerable and this remains a very difficult time for nursing home residents and their families. The importance of continued social interaction of residents and their families cannot be overstated and every effort should be made, in line with public health advice, to ensure that these interactions continue, including through window visits.

Notwithstanding this, it is also important to be cognisant of the wider epidemiological situation and the risks associated with same. On the 19th November, the European Centre for Disease Control published its latest risk assessment with regard to long-term care facilities. It highlights that the probability of COVID-19 introduction into a long-term care facility depends on the level of COVID-19 circulation in the community, with a higher risk associated with higher incidence rates in the community.

Data indicates that 155 nursing homes are actively dealing with a COVID-19 Outbreak. We continue to see new outbreaks being notified with on average, approximately one new outbreak per day being notified in the week up to 27^thFebruary. Noting that on 27^thFebruary approx. 600 confirmed cases of COVID-19 had been reported, the level of risk, including to residents of nursing homes remains high. The public health advice remains clear as noted in the statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team on 24^thFebruary “Given the increased transmissibility of the virus now, we must continue to limit our social contacts and do all we can to starve this disease of opportunities to spread”.

Nursing home providers are ultimately responsible for the safe care of their residents. Under Regulation 11 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 it is the legal responsibility of each registered provider to make arrangements for a resident to receive visitors, having regard to any risks that may present for the resident or other residents. Public health guidance has been developed in order to assist and support providers in this regard.

I recently wrote to all nursing home providers, through HIQA’s communication portal, to emphasise the importance of adopting a holistic and person-centred approach, noting the important role that visiting, social connections and communication with family and friends has in the context of residents’ overall health and wellbeing. The importance of ensuring that visits take place to the greatest extent possible, in line with public health guidance and risk assessments was reiterated and providers were encouraged to frequently communicate with residents and families on the matter of visiting and to respond to phone to calls by family members, in so far as is practicable, given the constraints on staff.

The Government’s revised plan, COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 - The Path Ahead, published on 23^rdFebruary, recognises that the challenge of balancing protective health measures and normal living has been particularly important in the context of visitations to long-term residential care settings (LTRC). LTRC visiting guidance has remained under ongoing review throughout the pandemic.

In light of the advanced stage of rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in LTRCs for both residents and staff, the NPHET (the National Public Health Emergency Team) has requested that the HSE progress a process for considering the scope and application of LTRC visiting restrictions in the context of the Framework of Restrictive Measures, having regard to international and national evidence, the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine and the level of disease in the community. The HSE has commenced this process.