Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question. With regard to dentists, I am happy to confirm they are included in cohort 2. I have spoken directly to their professional body and have stated it publicly on several occasions. If they do not know, we will do everything we can to let them know. Communications have issued but we can always do more.

With regard to carers, it is a clinical decision based on the prioritisation from NIAC, which is the expert group, that those in the formal sector who are employed as carers are covered. To answer the Deputy's direct point on family carers, it is not my decision but a clinical decision based on the expert advice that they would be covered under the various categories into which they might fall. For what it may be worth, my view is that an even bigger priority are the people being cared for. In many cases, the vaccinations will begin in mid-February for those aged over 70.

It is not everyone, obviously. Some people who are being cared for will have underlying conditions and there has been a lot of discussion on that. I will revert in writing with the other answers. I thank the Deputy.

See this speech in context