Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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1608. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE is refusing to reimburse the antigen costs for nursing homes (details supplied); if so, the reason for the decision; if he is considering reversing this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14833/21]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) for nursing homes was established in April 2020 to provide financial assistance to contribute towards the costs incurred by private nursing homes in acting to suppress and manage COVID-19. €78.2m has been paid to date in respect of claims under the Scheme, which has been extended until the end of June 2021. 

The TAPS Standard Assistance Payment is eligible to be spent on costs that have arisen in executing a number of measures that are specific to COVID-19. All nursing home providers are made aware of eligible costs under TAPS. Nursing Homes are currently not reimbursed under the Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme for antigen tests. The current Health Protection Surveillance Centre guidance on this issue only provides for the use of antigen tests in certain locations and in limited circumstances and under the direction of the local Public Health Department. This guidance can be accessed by following this link: 

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1609. To ask the Minister for Health when youth workers who are considered essential workers can expect to receive their Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14834/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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On the 23^rdof February 2021, I announced an update to Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy.

In comprising the initial Vaccine Allocation Strategy, the NIAC listed several conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease and death. In the intervening period, national and international evidence has become available which has enabled a more detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death.

The NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus. Medical conditions and the magnitude of the risk they pose will continue to be monitored and periodically reviewed.

The NIAC continues to monitor data around this disease and indeed emerging data on effectiveness of vaccines on a rolling basis. Further details are available at the following link:

The next cohort to be vaccinated (Cohort 4) are those aged 16-69 and at very high risk of severe illness and death. Vaccination of this group began in March.

The ongoing review process will continue to look at the other priority groups yet to be vaccinated, along with the competing needs of those working or living in high-risk situations, carers who deliver essential services to highly dependent individuals in the home setting, and those who are socially vulnerable/disadvantaged.

It is important to emphasise that vaccination is only one part of our response to the prevention of COVID-19 infection. People who are vaccinated need to continue with all the public health measures that have been proven to reduce the risk of infection, i.e., limiting our social contacts, physical distancing, wearing a mask, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and avoiding non-essential travel until a sufficiently large proportion of the population are immune.

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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1610. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider prioritising members of An Garda Síochána for vaccinations after those who are deemed medically vulnerable have been vaccinated (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14835/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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On the 23^rdof February 2021, I announced an update to Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy.  

In comprising the initial Vaccine Allocation Strategy, the NIAC listed several conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease and death. In the intervening period, national and international evidence has become available which has enabled a more detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death. 

The NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus. Medical conditions and the magnitude of the risk they pose will continue to be monitored and periodically reviewed.  

The NIAC continues to monitor data around this disease and indeed emerging data on effectiveness of vaccines on a rolling basis. Further details are available at the following link. 

The next cohort to be vaccinated (Cohort 4) are those aged 16-69 and at very high risk of severe illness and death. Vaccination of this group began in March.

The ongoing review process will continue to look at the other priority groups yet to be vaccinated, along with the competing needs of those working or living in high-risk situations, carers who deliver essential services to highly dependent individuals in the home setting, and those who are socially vulnerable/disadvantaged.

It is important to emphasise that vaccination is only one part of our response to the prevention of COVID-19 infection. People who are vaccinated need to continue with all the public health measures that have been proven to reduce the risk of infection, i.e., limiting our social contacts, physical distancing, wearing a mask, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and avoiding non-essential travel until a sufficiently large proportion of the population are immune.