Written answers

Thursday, 28 January 2021

Photo of Marc MacSharryMarc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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270. To ask the Minister for Health when front-line nursing and care staff working within residential disability services at Cregg House Sligo and Cloonamahon Sligo and community houses linked to both will be offered and receive the Covid vaccination; the date for same; the process of determining the schedule; the reason the National Immunisation Advisory Committee has not been the body determining the priority list of when and who receives vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4808/21]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen 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 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.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Photo of Marc MacSharryMarc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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271. To ask the Minister for Health if a nurse contracts Covid-19 and consequent associated illness prevents attendance at work, that following a period of 28 days the nurse in question must offset further or continuing absence due to Covid-related illness from sick leave days prescribed in their contract; if a nurse due to non-Covid-related illness which has or may require the use and exhaustion of prescribed sick leave days will not be financially disadvantaged and penalised due to Covid-related illness causing more than the 28 days currently prescribed as the maximum supported period for such absence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4809/21]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform prepared an FAQ document in relation to 'working arrangements and leave associated with COVID-19'. The content of this document applies to all those employed in the Civil and Public Services, including nurses and all public health sector employees equally.

A copy of this document is available to view at this website, and section 3.1 sets out the position in relation to leave and pay for those who are absent from work due to Covid-19.

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