Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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863. To ask the Minister for Health when those under 65 years of age with chronic illnesses can expect to be offered the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4413/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.

Vaccine allocation is a matter for my Department and further information is available here: .

The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is the responsibility of the HSE.

The aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is to ensure, over time, that vaccine will become available to vaccinate all of those for whom the vaccine is indicated. Given that there will be initially limited vaccines available, it will take some time for all to receive those vaccines and that has necessitated an allocation strategy to ensure that those most at risk of death and serious illness receive the vaccine first.

The priority is to first vaccinate and protect directly the most vulnerable amongst us, that is, those most likely to have a poor outcome if they contract the virus. The priority is to directly use vaccines to save lives and reduce serious illness, hence the focus on the over 65 year old cohort in long term residential care facilities, and healthcare workers in frontline services often caring for the most vulnerable.

All of the groups will be covered as further vaccine supplies become available and the immunisation programme is rolled out nationally.

The evidence will be kept under review and the allocation groups may be updated, where necessary, in light of new evidence.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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864. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the introduction of a compensation scheme for healthcare workers who have died from Covid-19 which was announced by his office in July 2020; when the scheme will be launched; the date range for which the scheme will be active; the number of healthcare workers the scheme will apply to; the way in which it will operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4414/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Work is ongoing in my Department on the development of a death in service scheme to benefit the families of frontline healthcare workers who lose their lives due to COVID-19, where it is likely that they contracted the virus in work.

I intend to bring a proposal to Government in respect of the scheme shortly. Once the scheme has been approved by Government details of the scheme will be made available.

However, I can confirm that the proposed scheme is being developed to apply retrospectively to deaths of all frontline healthcare workers delivering services during the pandemic and who are placed at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 by doing so.