During the first Covid wave in 2020, 23 elderly residents died in Dealgan House in Dundalk. Conditions there were appalling, inhuman, catastrophic and destitute of any compassion. The RCSI hospital group took over the operational control of that house. Since then, the families have been looking for truth, accountability and closure and believe only an inquiry will give them that truth, that closure and that accountability. They have met with the Minister for Health and with senior executives, including Mr. Reid, in the HSE but have had no contact, they tell me, since November with the Minister for Health to further this issue. We need this Government, which I support, to vindicate the human rights of the residents concerned. They cannot be ignored. If the Minister can give €135 million to meet the financial needs of 445 nursing homes, can he not find it in his heart to meet them and to have that inquiry to give them the truth and peace they need?

I thank the Deputy and acknowledge his ongoing representation on the issue. As he said, I have met the families involved. I have stated publicly at committee and am happy to restate that families whose loved ones passed away in nursing homes in some cases, including Dealgan House, have very legitimate questions and they must be given answers to those questions. We are trying to find a process whereby we can give them the answers they want without having to create a mechanism like a statutory tribunal or inquiry. In many cases, the only people who come out of those on top are the legal representatives. We are working to find a mechanism whereby the families can get the answers they need in a way that does not leave them bogged down in a legal process for many years. I am happy to revert to the Department and seek an update for the Deputy.