Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

956. To ask the Minister for Health if teachers, special needs assistants, SNAs, and school staff will be prioritised for the Covid-19 vaccination in the eventuality that a vaccine becomes available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38868/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland is currently involved in an EU Procurement Exercise being operated by the European Commission on behalf of Member States to procure a portfolio of suitable, safe and effective vaccines, in sufficient quantities, to combat COVID-19.

I can assure the Deputy of the Government's commitment to the timely implementation of a COVID-19 immunisation programme, as soon as one or more vaccines in the portfolio are approved for use. In this regard, a cross-Government High-Level Taskforce has been established to support and oversee the development and implementation of the programme.

The most appropriate approach to deciding on the order on which the population should be offered vaccination is amongst the matters my Department is currently considering, together with relevant stakeholders, in order to bring forward proposals for decision at Government level.