Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his questions. In respect of Cork University Hospital, I will take the issue up with the HSE this week. A lot of effort has been put into making the vaccines available to pregnant women according to the stipulations of NIAC. Certainly, no one would wish to see a six to eight-week delay before women receive the first dose of the vaccine. I fully appreciate the Deputy's comments regarding concern and I will pick that up this week.

As for direct provision, those in direct provision are included in one of the categories in the vaccination programme, as with other groups in congregated settings. That is being looked at and they will be scheduled into the programme. I will revert to the Deputy with more details as to exactly how that is being done.

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