Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his time in facilitating questions. I am not having a go at the Department or the hard work undertaken by the HSE, I am trying to help. We simply need more information on the supply of vaccines, the logistics involved and where they are going. While older people and front-line staff continue to be vaccinated, I receive daily reports of situations causing public distress and concern. In addition, it is increasingly difficult to get official information and a meaningful response. Last Thursday, I was contacted about queues for up to three hours of front-line workers at Mayo University Hospital where more than 100 people were congregated. Last Friday, I was advised of an error regarding a vaccine delivery to a GP centre in Bangor that should have gone to Belmullet. This resulted in one practice receiving large quantities of vaccine and the other being left short. On Monday, I was contacted by a family who were really concerned about their 95-year-old mother who was just holding on and had yet to receive information about her vaccine. I understand that no one will be left behind, but one can understand the stress this is causing.

I have contacted various GP surgeries and the current barriers encountered by medical centres are mainly administrative, with duplication of paperwork, cumbersome ordering and ongoing uncertainty on the volume of vaccines GPs will receive. Local media reports yesterday indicated that some surgeries did not receive vaccines despite promises of delivery. Public representatives need more information about the vaccines coming on stream. I am fully conscious that the timeline will not be perfect, but GP surgeries and pharmacies need transparency on this.

Two thirds of intern doctors at Mayo University Hospital have been offered contracts in July. Where are the remaining five contracts? This matter must be addressed.

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