Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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296. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether all teachers and school staff will be fully vaccinated before the return to school in September 2021; and if she will engage with the Minister for Health to ensure that this is the case. [34013/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The current vaccination roll out schedule, which was recommended to government by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), and endorsed by the NPHET, is that the remainder of the population will be completed on an age basis from those aged 64 years and younger. The recommendations from the NIAC have been published on the RCPI website:

www.rcpi.ie/policy-and-advocacy/national-immunisation-advisory-committee/

The move to an age-based model supports the vaccination programme objectives by protecting those at highest risk of serious illness, hospitalisation and death first regardless of occupation.  The move also facilitates the planning and execution of the programme across the entire country and improves transparency and fairness.

This decision has implications for many sectors including school staff and will ensure those working in schools are vaccinated with their age cohort. People who are medically vulnerable including school staff will continue to be vaccinated in line with their original grouping.

The guiding force behind it has always been to protect the most vulnerable in our society. Having considered the latest medical evidence, it is the view of NIAC that older people, regardless of occupation, are more susceptible to the virus. Government remains committed to ensuring that the rollout of the national vaccination programme as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

The Department remains committed to regular engagement with the education partners and will continue to engage with unions and management bodies on all issues concerning Covid-19.