Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I specifically asked about agency workers and the Minister of State did not give me an answer. Those workers are carers and, as far as I am concerned, are at the front line.

As the vaccination programme progresses, does the Minister of State anticipate that families will be able to visit their loved ones in nursing homes, contingent on all parties concerned being vaccinated? This matter has been raised several times and I know that the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, will make a decision on the issue. It is extremely important. My mother is in a nursing home and not being able to visit her has been an absolute calamity. Many people have not seen their mothers or fathers for months on end. We need clarity on that matter.

Other vaccines are available in China, Russia and Brazil. Is there an ideological problem in dealing with this issue? The European Medicines Agency, EMA, can approve vaccines in the West but when it comes to other areas of the world, it seems to be very slow in clearing vaccines for use. Will the Minister of State answer that question?

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