Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Last September, I tabled a Commencement matter on the human papillomavirus, HPV, vaccine. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, came in on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and committed to eliminating the charge for the catch-up vaccination. I was quite disappointed when this was then referred to the national immunisation advisory committee, NIAC, because what this vaccine has achieved speaks for itself. I was even more disappointed when it was not included in the women's health strategy published last April. Having said that, I am an eternal optimist. I tabled a Commencement matter on this issue last week because six months had elapsed since the last. Unfortunately, due to other demands on the Cathaoirleach, he was not in a position to accept that matter. I am thankful that, on Friday evening, it was announced that cost of the HPV vaccine is to be eliminated for everybody under 25, irrespective of when it is taken. Anybody taking a vaccination as part of a catch-up programme will, therefore, not have to pay the €400 to €600 cost, which is quite punitive, especially if a number of members of a family did not, for whatever reason, take the vaccine when in first year at school. I hope that we will now see an uptake rate of close to 100% in first year at school and that there will be no need for a catch-up programme but, for the next period of time, there will be need for one.

I seek a debate, or even statements, at some stage outlining the detail of the catch-up programme, where it is going to be rolled out, the type of information campaign that will be associated with it and, more broadly, the kind of information campaign there will be in respect of the HPV vaccine for secondary schools next September and onwards. Information is key. If the facts are put out there, people will get the vaccination. The messaging around this and the use of modern technology such as social media and so on is critically important. I spoke in the media yesterday with Laura Brennan's parents, Larry and Bernie. They are absolutely delighted that everybody under 25 years of age will now be able to access the HPV vaccination free of charge. It is a fitting tribute to the phenomenal campaigning work the late Laura Brennan did in the period before she passed from this world. We can never forget Laura's legacy and what she did for health, and women's health in particular, in this country. Her legacy will live on but we still have to keep our finger on the pulse to ensure information campaigns are rolled out in association with the catch-up programme and to persuade people in first year at school to take the vaccine.That is critically important because that is how we will honour the legacy of her great work and commitment to Irish society.