David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That is an unsatisfactory answer. Can I point the Minister to the HSE’s own roll-out of the flu vaccine, where carers are seen as a distinct cohort, yet when it comes to this vaccine they are not, and they are concerned about that. As the Minister knows, they do an invaluable job.

I also wish to raise the issue of people in long-term care facilities and people with disabilities and the staff who work in these facilities. I am aware, for instance, in my own constituency in Waterford, many of the staff and residents have not been vaccinated. They are asking when will they be vaccinated.

In my limited time remaining I also want to ask the Minister about pharmacists. I met with the Irish Pharmacy Union, IPU, yesterday and they are concerned about when pharmacists will, in the first instance, be vaccinated themselves, and their role in the roll-out of the vaccine. It is reported that the Minister discussed dentists playing a role yesterday at his own parliamentary party meeting. It is my understanding, however, that pharmacists have informally been told that they will not be part of the roll-out for over 70s and yet they are obviously part of the roll-out for the flu vaccine. It is ridiculous that we have 2,500 pharmacists who can play a role, with all hands to the pump, to get this done quickly.

I ask the Minister then to answer these questions please on pharmacists and on people with disabilities in long-term care facilities.

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