Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I too acknowledge the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, and the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, for their huge work to date. The roll-out in nursing homes in particular has been hugely successful, particularly given the story of Covid in nursing homes. That was based on communication and on a partnership. We need to make sure that the roll-out through GPs is based on the same principles: communication and partnership. The reason so many of us have been critical in the past few days is the lack of communication. GPs have been left without information. I acknowledge the work the Minister, the Minister of State and the HSE have put in with the relationship managers in the past week but I ask the Minister to focus on whether those relationship managers are working. This is the first time we have gone into the community and this is the way most people will get their vaccines: through their GP or their pharmacist. It has to work. We have to iron out the difficulties that have been picked up in the past three weeks. The criticism these past few weeks is to make sure this works.

I have a couple of questions. Why is there a difficulty in delivering consumables? Why are the syringes etc. not being delivered in alignment with the vaccine? In a number of cases there has been a few days' delay in delivery of vaccine consumables. Second, there are external supply issues absolutely beyond the HSE's control, but I presume we have visibility of supply on a Monday. Surely a portal could be established on a Monday to tell each GP what is available each week and to make preparations. One cannot set up a vaccine clinic at the hours' notice some GPs have been given. Based on internal supply, can we not give more notice to GPs of availability? Finally, will the Minister clarify the situation of those who are housebound? Are arrangements in place or are we still putting those arrangements together? I welcome the commitment today on family carers and bringing them up the list. Will the Minister confirm that as well?

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