Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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237. To ask the Minister for Health if he will utilise retired nurses and doctors to help in the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine over the coming months given that they have the necessary skills and experience and the utilisation of such persons could help reduce the costs of the nationwide roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6313/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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238. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department started to engage with the EMA regarding the procurement of Covid-19 vaccine doses for Ireland in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6319/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is the body that considers ‘conditional’ marketing authorisation for certain vaccines, depending on whether the data submitted are sufficiently robust and complete to show the quality, safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. These recommendations are then submitted to the European Commission for final decision. As such, it has no role with regard to procurement of vaccines.

Ireland is participating in a Procurement Exercise being operated by the European Commission on behalf of Member States to procure suitable, safe and effective vaccines, in sufficient quantities, to combat COVID-19. Six APAs have been negotiated by the Commission under this process to date. The timing of all deliveries cannot be confirmed at this time, and it is expected that some of these APAs will include deliveries in early 2022.

The Commission is engaged in ongoing discussions with vaccine manufacturers, and Ireland will consider any proposals that arise from the discussions when made available.