The Government is taking every appropriate measure in response to the global and national public health emergency arising from the outbreak of Covid-19, that is according to Fine Gael TD Hildegarde Naughton.
Deputy Naughton said no effort would be spared in seeking to protect the health and wellbeing of Irish citizens in the coming months as the country deals with the effect of the coronavirus.
She said; “The Government’s response is being guided by eminent scientific advice, and every necessary resource will be provided in order to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our citizens as this emergency unfolds.”
A special cabinet committee on Covid-19 agreed a €3 billion package of economic, welfare, and healthcare measures this week, including a €435 million injection for the HSE to cope with the possibility of unprecedented demand for services.
Deputy Naughton said; “The funding and actions that the Government is taking at this point are intended not only to maximise the effectiveness of the current containment phase of the outbreak, but also to minimise the impact of the virus in the subsequent delay and mitigation phases.
“The health service funding will increase our capacity for contact tracing, as well as developing community-based responses such as home-testing, remote management of milder cases, and the provision of dedicated services outside hospitals. This is crucial to prevent the spread of the virus, and also to ensure that we have the maximum possible hospital capacity for those who need it most in the event of heightened demand.
“The capacity of our health service will have to be increased by providing additional acute and critical care facilities, and an immediate increase of staffing, overtime and redeployment.”
Deputy Naughton also added that a package had been agreed for sick and welfare payments as well as €200 million for liquidity support for companies impacted by potential restrictive measures.
“A €2.4 billion package of reforms in relation to sick pay, illness benefit, and supplementary welfare payments has also been agreed to ensure that workers’ incomes are protected in the event that they have to self-isolate or otherwise follow medical advice.
“Some €200 million has also been earmarked for liquidity support for impacted companies. Government ministers will also be meeting with banks with a view to further mitigating any adverse economic impact resulting from the viral outbreak.
“We are in a situation that is unprecedented in modern times, and we have seldom looked to the future with greater uncertainty. But this Government will take every possible measure to prepare and protect our population for every possible scenario.”
