Council HQ may become Vaccine Centre

By Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council headquarters on Wexford’s Newtown Road at Carrcklawn may be used as a Vaccine Centre if the need arises. It is one of a selection of suitable facilities around the county that will be made available to the HSE should a mass vaccination programme be rolled out.

Chief Executive Officer Tom Enright addressed the matter at today’s January meeting of Wexford County Council held under the Covid-19 restrictions by Microsoft Teams.

Cllr John Hegarty opened a debate on the current situation and asked if the Council were doing enough during the Level 5 lockdown and could more be done to reassure people and wondered if stricter measures are necessary?

Mr Enright said; “We have been meeting with the HSE and the Gardai asking people to abide by the rules. We have another meeting with the HSE tomorrow (Tuesday). The rules are out there. The vast majority of people are doing what is asked of them. We are playing our part, but unfortunately, there are a small number that are not. Numbers in Wexford are exceedingly high compared with other counties. We will know more tomorrow on the public health issue after meeting the HSE and we will issue a media statement afterwards if it is deemed necessary.”

Cllr Davy Hynes said some of the problems from the Covid-19 situation was associated with alcohol sales.

Cllr Jackser Owens called for a test centre to be opened in Enniscorthy. “People are frightened out there. People are very frightened. We have a big district (Enniscorthy), and I am calling on the Council to provide a Test Centre?

Cathaoireleach Cllr Ger Carty offered his support and requested that Cllr Owens would send related correspondence to the HSE.

The CEO added that the Council had made arrangements with the HSE to make property available in Enniscorthy “if and when it is needed for testing.”

“It is ready and fit for purpose, if and when it is needed.” He added that there is other ‘temporary centres’ set up by the HSE in some of the particular locations where there is a peak in the numbers of people being infected.

Cllr Michael Sheehan said there is a test centre in New Ross “but it is on again, off again!” They may not be of great benefit for the town. The one in New Ross has been closed more that it is open!

However, Cllr Sheehan had concerns about the roll-out of vaccinations in the community. He felt more involvement could be assigned to local organisations, LDF, Order of Malta, Civil Defence etc. “People are rightfully afraid, and people are rightly concerned,” he concluded.