Dr Ronan Glynn made the comments as he appeared before the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee this morning alongside Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, also saying that a 'significant improvement' would be needed before Dublin could be downgraded from Level Three restrictions.
Dr Glynn said the opportunities and lives of young people had been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
The narrative around Covid has changed dramatically over the past two months in this country and we evolved to somewhat of a blame culture, looking for the next target.
“The narrative around Covid has changed dramatically over the past two months in this country and we evolved to somewhat of a blame culture, looking for the next target, the next reason why we can’t control this disease, and the latest one is young people," he said.
“I’ve been at pains for a number of weeks now to point out the fact that this disease has had an absolute disproportionate impact on the social lives, the education, the work, the employment opportunities, the relationship opportunities for young people.”
Level Three
Speaking at the meeting, Dr Glynn also said that evidence is not yet there to support the downgrading of the Dublin region from Level Three restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Professor Philip Nolan and Dr Cillian de Gascun, who are senior members of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), also attended the meeting via video link.
I fully appreciate the need for certainty, but what I would say is that the measures that were put in place last Friday week for Dublin will only be beginning to take effect yesterday, today, tomorrow.
“I fully appreciate the need for certainty, but what I would say is that the measures that were put in place last Friday week for Dublin will only be beginning to take effect yesterday, today, tomorrow,” Dr Glynn said.
“But we do need to see significant improvement over the coming days in Dublin, we’ve not seen it yet.”
Speaking before the committee this morning, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly also defended Ireland’s testing system, saying the country has faster turnaround times than most other European ones.
Hundreds of healthworkers
The Health Minister also announced that the HSE will begin a recruitment campaign for 255 public health doctors, nurses, scientists and support staff in the next two weeks.
The Minister said he would create public health consultancy posts and double the amount of public health professionals working in the health service.
“Yesterday, Cabinet approved the legislation necessary for this, and I will now be progressing it in consultation with the unions,” he said.
Mr Donnelly also confirmed that he had sanctioned €30 million for the continuation of supports for the nursing homes sector, the Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme.
