Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

For the sake of the young women of Ireland, I wish to end this debate on a positive note. In August the Minister said, and has repeated as much today, that she would roll out this programme in September next year subject to cost and to a take-up of 80%. We already brought the cost down today. It appears from the debate today that the Minister accepts that the cost will be in the region of €10 million. I ask the Minister to do two things. Perhaps she cannot officially do them but unofficially somebody might talk to the pharmaceutical companies who supply the vaccine in order to investigate whether we might get it at a cheaper rate than the estimated €100 per vaccine. I believe we can.

Could we also check whether the schools are happy to administer the programme? The Minister's other proviso was for an 80% take-up. If the vaccination can be done through the schools, I am confident that she will get that percentage take-up. Might we then see if we can find the remainder of the money somewhere within the Health Service Executive budget or within some other aspect of Government? It is not a great sum of money. Might we leave this Chamber with some type of positive hope that we can actually bring in this programme next year? That is what the people want to hear. They know we have arguments in this House and that we shout at each other across the floor. What they want is a positive result.

If the Minister can turn around her decision she will be seen as humane, caring and life-saving. I put it to her that if she does these things, if she reduces the cost, gets the agreement of the schools and finds the money, that we will all have done a good day's work.

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