30 cases against State regarding people who died after contracting Covid in hospitals or nursing homes - TD

Statistics released to the Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD by the State Claims Agency reveal that 30 cases are being taken against the HSE which have arisen from the death of a family member as a result of contracting Covid-19 in a nursing home, healthcare facility or hospital setting.

Speaking in response to the figures released to him, the Aontú leader said: "There are now 30 people taking cases against the HSE because their loved ones or family members passed away from Covid-19 after they contracted the virus in a hospital, a nursing home or another residential care facility.

"We all know someone who caught the virus in hospital after presenting or being admitted to the hospital for a different condition.

"At the start of the pandemic there was talk of crossover between Covid and non-Covid designated hospital wards in Mayo University Hospital and other such reports from around the country.

"It is not surprising to see individuals and families taking cases against the State under these circumstances.

"What went on in our hospitals and nursing homes during the pandemic is nothing short of a national scandal - every village in Ireland is familiar with these instances - where a simple hospital check up, appointment or cautionary admission became a death sentence - where families were unable to visit their loved ones, where coffins were kept shut and sympathisers were confined to the sides of the road as the funeral drove past.

"There needs to be a full scale public investigation into the government's handling of the pandemic in hospitals and nursing homes"

"Staffing appeared to be the major issue in both settings - outbreaks in wards saw huge numbers of staff self isolating and situations where a handful of staff were left looking after entire wards on their own.

"Families in some areas struggled to get any update from the hospital on their loved ones' conditions.

"Nurses and nursing home managers were taking to social media begging for assistance, as staffing support from the HSE was not forthcoming on far too many occasions.

"The families of people who died after contracting the virus in nursing homes or hospitals deserve answers and closure - a full scale public investigation would afford them that opportunity", concluded Deputy Tóibín.