Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We know many complex circumstances and situations are coming to light with regard to the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine. Many people are falling between the cracks of the very rudimentary categories established by the current administrative systems for the roll-out. The co-ordination between the HSE, NAS, GPs and administrative teams working through the portal is exposing the patchy lines of communication that pass extremely important and sensitive information between essential stakeholders. I raise this as I find I am hearing about this every day. The information needs to be clear and concise for people and they need to know where they stand when it comes to the vaccine roll-out. Many concerned constituents have been flooding my communications channels with almost inconceivable personal circumstances concerning the roll-out and the distinct lack of clarity and compassion they are receiving when they are trying to confirm when they will be getting vaccinated.

I will detail the circumstances of some constituents who have reached out to my office. One example concerns a GP in west County Clare who unfortunately has been out sick for a number of weeks. I take this opportunity to wish him well in his recovery. Undoubtedly, though, this has caused significant interruption of the lines of communication about patients being referred to NAS. What is plan B in these circumstances? This has caused undue distress for lots of vulnerable people and their families in the west. I am aware of one woman who has multiple sclerosis and is completely bedridden. She will not be able to access a vaccination outside her home and although all six of her carers have been vaccinated, she has been repeatedly forgotten. This woman's family members reached out and after I communicated on her behalf, her family were then contacted but were unfortunately told she would need to register. This woman is not required to go through that process and it has caused undue distress to everyone involved. I am aware of another man who was unable to attend his appointment as he was quarantining on the date originally designated for his appointment. He went to great lengths to notify the HSE of this fact and outlined all the relevant details around his quarantine timeline. He was given numerous appointments within that timeline and we both made numerous phone calls just to get that information across. Now that his quarantine is over he has not actually received an appointment.

I raise also the case of prison officers. All establishments across the prison estate are operating quarantine areas to deal with potential or confirmed cases of Covid-19. It is known that outbreaks of Covid-19 have occurred in virtually all prisons and were managed by prison officers and nursing staff. We also know prison officers have worked on Covid wards at various hospitals with both compliant and non-compliant prisoners. Outside of a healthcare setting, prison officers and prison nurses are the only group who have no option but to work with people with confirmed cases of Covid. Prison officers clearly work in a congregated setting where social distancing cannot be maintained but they have not received the vaccine. Meetings between the HSE and the Minister for Justice have taken place but no clarification has been provided on the vaccination of prison officers. Furthermore, on the evening of Monday, 12 April it emerged that more than 500 gardaí from the Dublin area were vaccinated, arising from concerns that they may be called to deal with issues which may arise with hotel quarantine. Prison staff have now been working with quarantined prisoners for more than 12 months. All establishments across the prison estate are operating quarantine areas to deal with potential or confirmed cases of Covid-19. Approximately 6,000 prisoners have been quarantined since the pandemic began. Is there any indication of prison officers getting appointment dates?

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