Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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555. To ask the Minister for Health if he has received an invitation to meet with the families who lost loved ones in a nursing home (details supplied) during the third wave of the pandemic at the start of 2021; if he has considered and or responded to the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47175/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The COVID-19 pandemic led to an unprecedented challenge across our health services and none more so than in our nursing homes. The pandemic has been a hugely difficult time for all residents, relatives, and staff of nursing homes and I would like to express my condolences to all those who have lost a loved one during this period.

In relation to the meeting requests referred to by the Deputy, I can confirm that my colleague the Minister for Mental Health and Older Persons, Mary Butler T.D., held a meeting with the group Care Champions and some of those who had lost loved ones in the nursing home specified by the Deputy on Monday 12 July 2021. The concerns raised by family members were heard at the meeting and a comprehensive response issue.