Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State and welcome her very honest appraisal. I am not for a moment suggesting that this is simple. The numbers may not be that great when it comes down to it. There are many family carers who are elderly. A husband or a wife who is looking after his or her spouse is likely to be in or around the same age, or a little younger in some cases. These people will be addressed in the over-70s grouping. They are being addressed. That is being resolved. I am aware that in certain medical practices where there may be a little vaccine left over at the end of the day's vaccinations, there is a practice of looking after spouses who are within or close to the age group.

We must target those who might be considered to be younger carers. Those who could be waiting for the next two, three or four months to get vaccinated do not see light at the end of the tunnel. We need to help them because they are the people who will suffer most.

I will conclude by returning to the comparison between a key worker and a healthcare worker. Healthcare and front-line workers were vaccinated in order that they would be in place to deal with people in hospitals. That was the right thing to do. If we do not address these carers, the people for whom they care will create an intolerable burden on our hospital services. I thank the House for its patience.