Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. There are a number of items I want to bring up with her. Some of my colleagues have already asked about them but from my own experience and from the representations I have received, I would like to put them to her today as well.

We need the promised data on the roll-out of the vaccination programme on a daily basis, as has been mentioned. It is simply not good enough that we must rely on tweets from the Minister for Health to get this information. I am sure that like all other Members in this House I receive a daily briefing by email on Covid figures which unfortunately, as we all know, has included a large increase in deaths over the last couple of weeks. Therefore, it is very important that these figures are balanced with ones of hope. In fairness, our only hope at this time is to vaccinate as many of our citizens as we can in the quickest possible time. I am sure we are all very familiar with the evening announcement of the Covid figures that occupy conversations in every home. I honestly believe those conversations need to include more hope and more light at the end of the tunnel. Vaccination figures would give us all a lift each day as we would know that that light is getting closer.

I learned from the RTÉ news yesterday that the EU is seeking that 70% of all adults be vaccinated by the summer. I join other Members of the House in asking the Minister of State what effect, if any, the delays with the delivery of the AstraZeneca vaccine will have on us in Ireland. In a tweet a number of days ago the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, said it was a real setback but I would appreciate an update from the Minister of State today. Again, notwithstanding what she said in her comprehensive introduction and what other Members have asked her already, while driving to the House this morning I listened to Mr. Seán Moynihan, the chief executive of ALONE, who was speaking on my local radio station KFM. He outlined many of the concerns I have been receiving from older persons and their families regarding when they will receive the vaccination. Important in this information is also the question of who will let the older population know it is their turn to be vaccinated. Will it be their GP or will that information come from the HSE? Will it be a phone call or a letter? This information is all the more important considering the unbelievable scam that our older population in particular are facing now. Those carrying out this scam need to be brought to justice straight away. I have seen the very professional way they are contacting our most vulnerable and seeking their most private information from them. It is important that the Minister and the Minister of State clarify the procedure on how these citizens will be contacted and the approximate time for that contact. I ask the Minister of State to make people aware of that scam, which is ongoing. Others have raised it but it is something that has been very professional, from what I have seen. It has been mentioned by so many.

Like so many Members today, I want to pay tribute to our front-line workers and welcome the fact that so many have received their first vaccination. It was great to see those same front-line workers share vaccination pictures on social media and for that to be welcomed by so many in our community. However, we are all aware of those healthcare workers who, as has been mentioned, have not received the vaccination and I join with others in asking the Minister of State to give us an update on that position.

I have received a number of phone calls from those living in sheltered housing and their families. They were suggesting and indeed asking that they be vaccinated at the same time as the residents of the nursing homes and hospitals to which their homes are adjoined. It seemed to be a practical solution but unfortunately this did not happen. I wrote to the HSE on this matter and would appreciate if the Government considers vaccinating those living in those sheltered homes in the quickest possible time. They live on the grounds adjacent to facilities whose residents have had the vaccination and I would appreciate it if that could be considered.

I would also like the Minister of State to consider those on dialysis for the vaccine and indeed carers as well, as has been mentioned. Like other Members, I appreciate that the roll-out must be premised on health grounds and on the basis of those affected most, but it is very important that we as public representatives relay the large number of representations we are getting from various sectors of society.

I too believe that there should be a dedicated person in Government in charge of the vaccine roll-out. I tell the Minister of State that it is not too late to consider this. There have already been two important issues that have needed such a person. This is the most important issue for this State in many generations. So much is depending on it and as I stated about the leaving certificate families this morning, the entire country is waiting on every word from the Minister about this roll-out.

The tourism industry is, as we all know, on its knees. It welcomed the announcement from the Minister that the majority of the adult population will be vaccinated by the end of the summer. This announcement needs urgent intervention by Government. The good news of the vaccine has us all discussing holidays later in the year.I ask the Government to assist the tourism industry now as it needs to tap into those discussions and ensure that the Irish market is the holiday of choice this year.

I will finish by thanking gardaí, as others have already, who are on the front line and protecting us from those who simply should know better. The Garda continues to protect us all. I also want to put on record my thanks to the Defence Forces who, once again, have come to the fore at this time of national crisis. They can always be relied upon. Let us ensure that this good news is promoted at every opportunity. Our country needs this programme and its roll-out as quickly as possible. I wish the Minister of State every success is getting us all vaccinated.