Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Casey for advocating on behalf of kidney and dialysis patients, and highlighting the challenges they face. As he said quite rightly, this will be determined from a scientific, medical, and clinical point of view. That is the only way we can look at this issue. On the decision by the Government, the national immunisation advisory committee, NIAC, and the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, to immunise those in nursing home settings first, we must be conscious of the fact that in the first wave, 56% of all deaths were in nursing homes. As of early this week, unfortunately 1,739 of our beloved residents lost their lives in nursing homes, either with Covid or because of Covid, and I suppose that is something we will probably never know for sure. That is why the priority has been determined in this way. Those next in priority are patient-facing front-line workers who are doing an exceptional job on a daily basis. The next in priority are our most vulnerable cohort, those over 70 years.

I certainly take on board the point made by Senator Casey. It has been made to me several times. The priority is for those who are at most risk of death or serious illness to receive the vaccine first. As the Senator quite rightly pointed out, the Minister said yesterday this issue would be looked at. Different cohorts were mentioned. For example, the situation of many very ill people who are waiting for serious operations and who need to be vaccinated in advance was mentioned yesterday. The only thing preventing vaccination is supply. In quarter 2, starting in April, I hope we will receive 250,000 vaccines per week, whereas this week we only received 21,600 vaccines. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir and I will communicate his thoughts to the Minister.