Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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3311. To ask the Minister for Health the breakdown of the monthly financial cost of the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Ireland from January 2021 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41333/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The overall initial funding allocation for the COVID-19 vaccination programme, and related expenditure approval, is for a total of €200m for 2021. The core responsibility for the operational delivery of the vaccination programme lies with the HSE, which provides detailed estimates of the gross cost of implementation to my Department.

While the cyber-attack has had some impact on data reporting systems, the latest figures available from June indicate an estimated expenditure of approximately €174m. It is envisaged that the overall costs associated with the implementation of the vaccination programme will be significantly in excess of the €200m already allocated. My Department will continue to work closely with the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, to ensure cost-effectiveness in the context of the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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3312. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of the vaccination rollout in Ireland in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41334/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The overall initial funding allocation for the COVID-19 vaccination programme, and related expenditure approval, is for a total of €200m for 2021. The core responsibility for the operational delivery of the vaccination programme lies with the HSE, which provides detailed estimates of the gross cost of implementation to my Department.

While the cyber-attack has had some impact on data reporting systems, the latest figures available from June indicate an estimated expenditure of approximately €174m. It is envisaged that the overall costs associated with the implementation of the vaccination programme will be significantly in excess of the €200m already allocated. My Department will continue to work closely with the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, to ensure cost-effectiveness in the context of the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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3313. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 37 of 13 July 2021, the legal supports that are in place for persons making claims against the State for injuries associated with the Covid-19 vaccine; the mechanisms that are in place for the covering of costs and the payment of such claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41335/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is advised that there are no plans at present for the introduction in Ireland of a COVID-19 specific vaccine compensation scheme.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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3314. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 37 of 13 July 2021, the status of the development of proposals regarding the establishment of a vaccine compensation scheme; the timeline for the completion of these proposals; the details of the person or body that is developing these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41336/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In June 2018, the Government agreed to the establishment of the expert group to review the management of clinical negligence claims. It was chaired by the High Court judge, Mr. Justice Charles Meenan. The expert group examined the system from the perspective of the person who has made the claim to explore if there is a better way to deal effectively, yet more sensitively, with certain cases.

Mr. Justice Meenan submitted the final report on the current system for managing clinical negligence claims to the then Minister for Health and Minister for Justice in January 2020, prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government subsequently published the Meenan report in December 2020. One of the report's recommendations is that a compensation scheme be established.

On foot of a request from my Department, the Health Research Board, HRB, carried out an evidence review on the vaccine injury redress programme in other jurisdictions, which was completed in March 2019. The expert group's report, in addition to the HRB's evidence review, and consultation with other Departments and relevant State agencies will inform the development of proposals regarding the establishment of a compensation scheme, including the need for primary legislation, and work to advance policy development in this regard is under way in the Department.

There are no plans at present for the introduction in Ireland of a COVID-19 specific vaccine compensation scheme.