Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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868. To ask the Minister for Health if an independent expert working group will be convened, which includes specialist expertise in the relevant medical and other clinical specialities, to comprehensively evaluate if vitamin D supplementation at doses greater than those currently recommended to Irish adults for musculoskeletal health is now advisable to the Irish adult population in order to build their resilience against Covid-19 infection and severe Covid-19 disease. [5894/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is advised that the existing guidance on vitamin D was updated in November 2020 and advises that adults aged 65 and older to take a 15 microgram (600 IU) daily supplement for bone and muscle health. An evidence synthesis paper on vitamin D and COVID-19 prepared for NPHET was discussed at its meeting of January 28. The NPHET agreed that efforts should be made to increase awareness of existing guidance; and that adults spending increased time indoors or are housebound or in long-term residential care or have dark skin pigmentation are also recommended to take a daily vitamin D supplement. These recommendations for the use of vitamin D are being incorporated into wider messaging, and additionally are being communicated across the health service, including nursing homes and social care settings as necessary. There is currently no plan for a campaign providing vitamin D supplements to certain groups. The NPHET agreed that at present there is insufficient high-quality evidence with respect to vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, and noted that ongoing developments, particularly Randomised Control Trials, in this area be monitored by the NPHET with guidance reviewed accordingly.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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869. To ask the Minister for Health if he will appoint an independent expert working group, which includes specialist expertise in medical gerontology and the other relevant medical and clinical specialities, to comprehensively evaluate whether vitamin D supplementation at doses greater than those currently recommended to Irish adults aged over 65 years of age for musculoskeletal health are now advisable to the Irish adult population aged over 65 years of age in order to build their resilience against Covid-19 infection and severe Covid-19 cases. [5895/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is advised that the existing guidance on vitamin D was updated in November 2020 and advises that adults aged 65 and older to take a 15 microgram (600 IU) daily supplement for bone and muscle health. An evidence synthesis paper on vitamin D and COVID-19 prepared for NPHET was discussed at its meeting of January 28. The NPHET agreed that efforts should be made to increase awareness of existing guidance; and that adults spending increased time indoors or are housebound or in long-term residential care or have dark skin pigmentation are also recommended to take a daily vitamin D supplement. These recommendations for the use of vitamin D are being incorporated into wider messaging, and additionally are being communicated across the health service, including nursing homes and social care settings as necessary. There is currently no plan for a campaign providing vitamin D supplements to certain groups. The NPHET agreed that at present there is insufficient high-quality evidence with respect to vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, and noted that ongoing developments, particularly Randomised Control Trials, in this area be monitored by the NPHET with guidance reviewed accordingly.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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870. To ask the Minister for Health if an independent expert working group will be appointed, which includes specialist expertise in medical gerontology and the other relevant medical and clinical specialities, to comprehensively evaluate whether vitamin D supplementation at doses greater than those currently recommended to Irish adults and to Irish adults aged over 65 years of age for musculoskeletal health is now advisable to Irish adults with underlying medical conditions in order to build their resilience against Covid-19 infection and severe Covid-19 disease. [5896/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is advised that the existing guidance on vitamin D was updated in November 2020 and advises that adults aged 65 and older to take a 15 microgram (600 IU) daily supplement for bone and muscle health. An evidence synthesis paper on vitamin D and COVID-19 prepared for NPHET was discussed at its meeting of January 28. The NPHET agreed that efforts should be made to increase awareness of existing guidance; and that adults spending increased time indoors or are housebound or in long-term residential care or have dark skin pigmentation are also recommended to take a daily vitamin D supplement. These recommendations for the use of vitamin D are being incorporated into wider messaging, and additionally are being communicated across the health service, including nursing homes and social care settings as necessary. There is currently no plan for a campaign providing vitamin D supplements to certain groups. The NPHET agreed that at present there is insufficient high-quality evidence with respect to vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, and noted that ongoing developments, particularly Randomised Control Trials, in this area be monitored by the NPHET with guidance reviewed accordingly.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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871. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department will ensure that PPE equipment will be delivered to the 700 plus private dentists that registered their interest for this equipment with the HSE following a commitment by his Department to deliver this equipment in June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5897/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I support the provision of PPE to dentists who are contracted under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme to provide services to medical card holders.

Officials in my Department are engaging with their counterparts in the HSE on this matter.