Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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653. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department requested the Food Safety Authority of Ireland to fast-track its recommendations on vitamin D supplementation in older adults due to emerging evidence linking low vitamin D levels with increased Covid-19 infection and severity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2842/21]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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654. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department asked as to whether vitamin D supplementation in adults rather than just older adults is being considered as advisable in the context of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2843/21]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 653 and 654 together.

The Department of Health requested the Scientific Committee of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) “to fast track the current work on Vitamin D and older people to provide an evidence -base to the Department of Health to underpin public health policy for vitamin D supplementation in older people, 65 plus years” by letter dated 4^thJune 2020. The letter does not make any reference to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department has not made any subsequent request to the FSAI for advice in relation to Vitamin D supplementation for other sectors of the population, whether in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise.