TD says there is deep concern at Justice and Health departments handling of crisis in Skellig Hotel
People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith has said serious questions remain unanswered by two Ministers over the handling of the Covid-19 cluster at the Cahirciveen Direct Provision centre.
The TD repeated her call for HSE led emergency response teams to be sent into the centres, similar to those now working in nursing homes. The TD was critical of the manner in which asylum seekers were moved from a Dublin centre which already had a confirmed Covid-19 case in March, without first been tested.
Over 20 residents have now tested positive for the virus.
She also said their treatment at the centre since the outbreak was “outrageous” and “inhumane”.
Responding to Minister Harris’s reply to a Dáil question, she said that “guidance” from the HPSC that the Minister referenced was “wholly inadequate” and “what is needed is resources and enforcement powers at centres that were not providing adequate facilities in dinning, toilets and showers and self-isolation rooms. There are still cases of 3 and 4 residents to a room, often with non-family members forced together. In some cases rooms which had Covid-19 positive cases have not been properly cleaned and residents are terrified and receiving little information or assurance.”
The TD said she has submitted a series of question about conditions and actions at the Cahirciveen centre but wanted residents there moved who wished to leave the centre.
“These are very vulnerable people, including a pregnant woman and people with underlying conditions. Their treatment is a scandal and those responsible must be held to account.”