Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the delivery of the vaccine progresses, I ask that front-line staff like paramedics be urgently vaccinated, as they are in many cases on the front line and working in uncontrolled environments. Paramedics come upon car accidents, go into people's homes and deal with various situations, often going into unknown circumstances. Paramedics in Cavan-Monaghan have been in contact with me and they were frustrated, annoyed and concerned that they were being sent to St. Mary's Hospital in the Phoenix Park for their vaccinations and were not being vaccinated locally like other front-line staff. That may have changed in recent days and some of them may be being vaccinated closer to home but given that we are all trying to do our bit in restricting travel, the idea of them travelling to the Phoenix Park for a vaccination does not make much sense. I would like the Minister to keep an eye on that, to ensure that is not the case and that they are looked after in their own local area.

Like many other Deputies, I have received numerous pleas to bring vulnerable kidney patients, especially those on dialysis, to the forefront of the vaccination programme. These patients must attend hospital care facilities for treatment at least three times a week and for a minimum of three hours at a time. Despite strict protocols to minimise infections, such patients remain at risk of transmission between patients and staff and are in hospital often. Most organ transplant recipients, including over 2,600 kidney transplant recipients, have suppressed immune systems, which add to their high risk of infection and inability to fight the virus. Many of my colleagues in the Chamber have made the same case to the Minister. These people should certainly be moved up much higher as regards priority in the roll-out of the vaccine.

The Government will be announcing mass vaccination centres over the coming days. In my constituency of Cavan-Monaghan, numerous hoteliers such as the Hotel Kilmore in Cavan and the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan have contacted me, as have local football clubs. The GAA has been four-square behind communities in protecting, helping and enabling people during this difficult time. These places have excellent facilities that allow space, capacity, footfall and all the things I am sure the Minister and the HSE take into consideration when planning the mass vaccination centres. I ask the Minister to look at clubs like Mullahoran in County Cavan or Bailieborough Shamrocks, as well as the hotels I have mentioned. These places have the facilities and they are available and ready to go. Will the Minister respond to my request?

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