Mid-west vaccination centre access
Deputy Quinlivan said moving the mid-west vaccination centre to Patrickswell would make access harder for city residents and asked for support. The Tánaiste said the racecourse was more accessible overall but would raise the request for a shuttle bus with the HSE.
I want to raise the vaccination centre we have in the mid-west region, which serves Limerick city. We previously raised the issue. The centre was not actually in Limerick city, it was in County Clare and I understand from HSE contacts this morning that it is moving shortly to the racecourse in Patrickswell. That would make it more difficult for people in the city to access the vaccination centre. The one in the Radisson hotel was working well and while there were problems, there was public transport to it. As there is no public transport to the racecourse that I am aware of, will the Government commit to making sure there is a shuttle bus? All Deputies from the mid-west region have been inundated with calls from people who had problems accessing the vaccine at the previous centre. Will the Government commit to providing some sort of shuttle transfers for people to get to the vaccination centre?
Comment on this
I am told that the racecourse is more accessible to more people than the Radisson hotel is, but I guess it depends on where one is living and what one's mode of transport is. Like Deputy O'Donnell earlier, the Deputy has raised the need for a shuttle bus in order that people can get to the racecourse, and in the interim get to the Radisson hotel until the move happens. I am happy to raise that with the CEO of the HSE. I will do that this week. I cannot commit to it being done but I will certainly make sure that the HSE is aware of the request.
Comment on this
I want to raise an issue on behalf of small and micro companies, which we all know make up approximately 98% of companies in Ireland. I want to query in particular the progress in putting in place a dedicated rescue process for small and micro companies. I note the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, who has responsibility for company regulation, has secured Government approval for priority drafting of the companies Bill 2021. I would welcome progress on that and I would appreciate if the Tánaiste could outline to the House the proposed new dedicated rescue process.
Comment on this
The small company administrative rescue process, SCARP, received Government approval at the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. It is intended to get the legislation into the Dáil and Seanad as soon as possible and to have the matter legislated for before the summer recess, thus allowing that option to be in place for small businesses that can survive if they are allowed to restructure. It is intended to have that in place by the autumn. It is, if you like, a personal insolvency regime for small companies and is an alternative to the expensive examinership process through the High Court. If we can get the legislation done by the recess, we can get it in place for the autumn.