Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is something we can look at.

The determinant is not only age. There is the underlying medical conditions group, which is quite a big group. That was the recommendation from National Immunisation Advisory Committee, NIAC, based on the principles it put together.

Obviously many people are asking similar questions and want to understand why one group and not another is dealt with. It is the kind of thing that could be addressed by the type of briefings about which the Deputy spoke.

Do we need a wider analysis of the damage? I could not agree more. We measure this in terms of cases and, tragically, in terms of deaths. We need to know, however, about mental health, economic damage, social isolation and loneliness, as well as long Covid. There is more evidence emerging, particularly for younger people, that there are potentially long-term changes and damage for those who get through Covid. We need to be aware of all of that.

In terms of local escalation, the Government framework can be done county by county or region by region. Obviously, given where it is at, it is a national effort. I will revert to the Deputy with a note on the private hospitals.

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