Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I intend to use my time for questions and answers. Elderly people in my constituency of Cork South-West, especially the housebound, are concerned. I have always known that the ambulance service is flat out to the mat in the normal daily work it has to do, and it is the ambulance service that must administer vaccinations to the housebound. Has the Government looked at another mechanism for doing this? Many housebound people in my constituency are still unable to get it because the ambulance service is under too much pressure. That is the first question.

My next question concerns those aged over 60 who have been vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine. Many people have contacted my office and my staff. Some of them had the first vaccine, which it is said is about 30% resistant to the Indian variant, and they are waiting 12 weeks for the second vaccine, which will make it 60% resistant. First, could Pfizer be used for these people over 60, or perhaps Johnson & Johnson, which has a bigger resistance, we have been told? Second, can the waiting time of 12 weeks be cut back? People are very frustrated and concerned that they are waiting a huge amount of time - three months or more?

I have previously raised the issue of Parkinson's patients in the House with the Ministers. Is there any movement with regard to these Parkinson's patients? I will allow the Ministers to reply.

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