The test centre for Covid-19 in Louth is based in Dundalk. Over the past 14 days, the people in Louth have been working very hard to reduce the figures. The rate in north Louth is 179.7 per 100,000, in Dundalk it is 120.2 per 100,000, in Ardee and mid-Louth it is 19.7 and in Drogheda it is 55.9. In July, 1,000 tests were done. In August, the figure was 2,000 tests and in September it was 4,000 tests. It looks like there could be 8,000 tests in October. Why is the HSE trying to move the test centre from Dundalk to Ardee when there are serious issues in north Louth? It means people have to travel from Omeath, Carlingford, Lordship and Dundalk to Ardee. It makes no sense whatsoever. Please not to tell me it is the HSE that allocates the locations. Covid-19 is a serious epidemic and it makes no sense to move the test centre from Dundalk to Ardee. Will the Minister please intervene as soon as possible?

We all have the terrible ritual of watching the numbers at 6 o'clock every day. A couple of weeks ago, having been informed by Ronan Glynn that Louth was of particular concern, I looked at the sectoral area and there was a particular problem in Carlingford and north Dundalk. I have friends in the area so I look out for it and keep an eye on it with real concern. Every day if the Louth numbers have not gone up, I hope it will manage not to have the difficulties we have had in Dublin, Donegal or elsewhere and I hope this continues to be the case.

With regard to the issue of swabbing, next week the HSE will initiate a recruitment drive to hire more than 700 community swabbers and testers to work in community test centres, home-based testing, outbreak testing, residential care facilities and specific work locations. The recruitment drive will start on Monday. This will free up health service workers-----

The question I asked was about going from Dundalk to Ardee. Please stop waffling and just give me an answer.

Let the Minister-----

I will absolutely commit to the Deputy and any other Deputy that the 700 new workers who will work in community centres, home based testing and outbreak testing will be fairly distributed throughout the country.

It makes no sense to go from Dundalk-----

It has to be fairly-----

There are 9,000 people in mid-Louth-----

They have to be fairly distributed throughout the country-----

Minister, the time is up.

-----because every Deputy here, I am sure, will want it to be done on the basis of public health advice and science-----

Thank you, Minister.

-----with regard to where we need testers and how they should-----

Minister, please. You have to co-operate with the time.

It makes no sense to have it in place a where there is no epidemic.

The problem is in north County Louth. Deputy Fitzpatrick is right.

I am the first to acknowledge there are areas of the country that we have to address. The HSE is best placed to make that call.

The Minister will have to co-operate a little bit with the Chair.

My apologies.

Many Deputies are waiting. I will stop the Minister because it is not fair to the other Deputies.

If he answered the question there would be no problem.