Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am one of the many very lucky people who have received their first dose of the vaccine. On the day of my visit, the efficiency of the staff was outstanding and I would like to recognise that and thank them here in their Dáil. Maith sibh.

Last week, the WHO said that vaccines may be the light at the end of the tunnel but that it is important we do not get blinded by that light. It said that too many of us in Europe are not vaccinated and that caution is vital. We are all dying to see our families, get back to normal and reclaim some of our social lives but it is important that we stick to the public health advice and proceed with caution. It is important for our public health and for the economy in the long term. Most important, doing so respects the work our magnificent healthcare workers have put into this. They have been to hell and back to mind us.

I thank the Minister for his responses on vaccines for pregnant women. I am little concerned about his reply to Deputy Colm Burke but I might talk to him about that again.

I raise the plan to tackle vaccine hesitancy in younger people. Every time one of us gets the vaccine, every one of us is a little safer. I am concerned about vaccine hesitancy in young people. Almost one in ten people in the 25 to 34 age group will not take the vaccine, which is concerning. What are we doing about that?

The second issue I wish to raise is Community Call. A constituent of mine in his 60s has had to turn down the vaccine four times because Community Call was not available to drive him to the vaccination centre. It is an excellent volunteer service in the main but when he gets an appointment it is not able to bring him along to it. It is exasperating for this lovely man. I ask the Minister to examine that service and resource it. We need something like a click and collect service and it must be properly resourced. I also thank the volunteers. I am happy to arrange transport for this gentleman but if the Minister has any ideas, I ask his people to get in touch with my staff.

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