It has cost the HSE nearly €70,000 so far to rent accommodation for additional self-isolation facilities and hubs in Kerry due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Information on accommodations and centres secured by the HSE in Kerry during the pandemic has been released, following a parliamentary question by Kerry Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae.
During the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, the HSE secured a number of properties and hotel rooms in the county.
These were to be used to provide for self-isolation facilities, if required.
Because the worst-case pandemic scenario never materialised, a number of facilities nationally have been underused.
60 rooms were rented in the Rose Hotel, Tralee at a cost of €23,79. The Rose Hotel says that it was only used for accommodating frontline doctors and staff. It wasn’t required to accommodate any patients with – or suspected of having – COVID-19. The hotel says it pulled on the green jersey and played its part by providing rooms for frontline staff. No food or bar services were provided.
Three self-catering homes in Kenmare were secured at a cost of €9,600.
Three further houses in Kenmare were also secured by the HSE, however, no invoices had been submitted for these properties as of July 15th.
A community assessment hub in Castleisland was opened in April at a cost of €35,000 for a three-month period.
Information on the hub's usage was not provided by the HSE.
