Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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544. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when Defence Forces personnel serving overseas can expect to receive their Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16477/21]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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555. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the arrangements in place or to be put in place for those Defence Forces members serving with the UN in Lebanon to avail of Covid-19 vaccinations; if they will receive vaccinations before they return home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17544/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 544 and 555 together.

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

The Defence Forces has established vaccine prioritisation which is in line with this national allocation strategy. Initial Vaccination priority is for Defence Force personnel who are providing front line support to the HSE and National Ambulance Service in the national effort to combat COVID 19.

Personnel selected for deployment to overseas missions over the coming months will fall into a prioritised grouping, and the intention is that they will be vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to deployment, subject to availability of the vaccine which is coordinated through the HSE. There may be a small number of personnel who, for a variety of reasons, will not be vaccinated against Covid 19 prior to their deployment. In these cases, it is intended that they will be prioritised on arrival in the mission to receive UN administered vaccines in accordance with each individual mission roll out timeline.

As you will appreciate, there are significant logistical challenges in transporting and administering the Covid 19 vaccines to large numbers of Defence Force personnel already deployed overseas on Peacekeeping duties.

As of 2 March 2021, Ireland is contributing 568 personnel to 10 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas mission in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 346 personnel. These personnel are due to complete their tour of duty and return to Ireland during May. They will be vaccinated on their return in accordance with the Defence Force prioritisation within the national allocation strategy.

As Minister for Defence, I am keenly aware of the impact the COVID 19 pandemic is having on members of the Defence Forces deployed overseas and their families. I recognise and appreciate the additional personal sacrifices being made by troops deployed overseas at this time.