Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I wish to return very briefly to the issue of housebound people aged over 70. The response we have received is not adequate. I have had contact from the family of a 90-year-old woman who is housebound. Her general practitioner referred her case in January. She has two people living in the house with her who are in education – they are teachers – with all the risks that involves. The woman is not living in a remote area but in a major urban area in Dublin. It is really hard to understand why she has not had a vaccine yet. What the Minister has set out is not good enough. A substantial number of people are in circumstances similar to those of the woman. Saying to them that they should get their vaccination within the next month is not good enough. There are pharmacists, GPs and others who are ready and willing to vaccinate. The Minister really needs to revisit this because what he has set out is not adequate.

The Tánaiste used very different figures from those of the Minister of State earlier in response to a question. Can the various Ministers get their story straight and, most of all, ensure people in the circumstances in question will be dealt with within the next week? I ask for a commitment on that.

I join others in commending all those working on the front line in regard to the action programme. For those managing it, I completely accept it presents a major logistical challenge given all the changes that are taking place. There is momentum, however, and it is fantastic to meet people who have had their vaccine. They are so excited and relieved. We really need to keep that going. An important element of that is ensuring clear information is available to people and the data are up to date. That has not been the case.

There are four questions I want to pose on data. It took us a long time to get the Minister to commit to providing delivery information weekly. It used to be provided on the Wednesday night prior to the session. There has been no information provided since 22 March and then a somewhat outdated note was provided last night. We need the information weekly so everybody is clear on what the situation is.

My second point on data is that we have not had a supply forecast for a number of weeks. Given all the changes, I ask the Minister to commit to providing it at least on a weekly basis, again so people can know what to expect. People accept that there is a lot that the Minister and others do not have control over but he should at least make the information available so everybody will clear on what is proposed, when they are likely to receive the vaccine, and what the progress is likely to be. That obviously will have a significant impact on the opening up of various aspects of society and the economy.

Many in cohort 4, the very high-risk group, have had their vaccination cancelled because of recent changes. When will they get a new appointment date? It is really important. They are extremely vulnerable and have been set back as a result of changes. When will the Minister be in a position to provide the exact dates on which they will receive their vaccines?

What is the protocol in the case of a person aged over 60 who has a personal or family history of severe clotting? How is this being monitored? What is the response to it? We are getting queries on it. It is very hard to know the situation. Is there a protocol? Where can the affected get advice? What are the options for them if their view is that their circumstances are too dangerous for them to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine?

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