Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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1046. To ask the Minister for Health if patients with a psychiatric illness will be vaccinated according to groups 4 and 7 or by age; if some patients have already been vaccinated under group 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22037/21]

Stephen 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.

On 23 February, 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. 

On 30 March, the Government approved a further update to the COVID-19 Vaccination Allocation Strategy. Based on clinical, scientific and ethical frameworks produced by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee and my Department, following the vaccination of those most at risk, future groups will be vaccinated by age, in cohorts of 10 years (i.e., 64-55; 54-45, etc.).

The move to an age-based model better supports the programme objectives by:

protecting those at highest risk of severe disease first, which benefits everyone most;

facilitating planning and execution of the programme across the entire country;

improving transparency and fairness. 

Further details are available here:

Vaccination of Group 4 (people aged 16-69 with a medical condition that puts them at very high risk of severe disease and death) began in March. Vaccine registration for Group 5 (people aged 65-69 whose underlying condition puts them at a high risk of severe disease and death) began on 15 April.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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1047. To ask the Minister for Health if amusement parks are included in the reopening subject to prevailing public health situation of outdoor visitor attractions such as zoos, open pet farms and heritage sites on 26 April 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22038/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Level 5 restrictive measures currently remain in place. Any measures introduced at any level of the Plan are aimed at limiting the spread and damage of COVID-19 and are necessary to protect our key priorities of supporting and maintaining health and social care services, keeping education and childcare services open and protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities. 

The Government announced a slight easing of restrictions from 12 April in recognition of the significant impact that the extended period of Level 5 restrictions is having on people. The focus of this easing of measures is on enabling more outdoor activities in order to improve the health and well-being of society. The situation will be subject to ongoing review taking account of the evolving epidemiological situation, the impact of the reopening of priority services, and available evidence in relation to vaccine deployment, uptake and effectiveness. The NPHET and the Government will consider the position again at the end of this month and it is anticipated that a roadmap for the further easing of measures over the coming months will be agreed.

From 26th April, outdoor visitor attractions can reopen (for example: zoos, open pet farms, heritage sites). The regulations specify that amusement parks are not included in the relevant recreational premises that are permitted to reopen. The regulation providing for these measures is S.I. No. 193 of 2021 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 which can be viewed at: 

Further information on level 5 public health restrictions can be viewed at:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/ 

Significant progress has been made on suppressing the virus due to the huge effort of our citizens. By working together, we have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease on society in Ireland. We all must continue to do everything possible to avoid the virus spreading.