Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

391. To ask the Minister for Health if vaccination is compulsory for certain students in order that they can take up a placement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55412/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The HSE has informed my Department that the position regarding student nurses and midwives taking up clinical placements has not changed since Dr Colm Henry, HSE Chief Clinical Officer, wrote to all Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) earlier this year.

Following his first letter on 26 March 2021, Dr Henry, wrote an additional memo to the HEIs stating, among other things, that   “clinical placements for all healthcare students (those who have and have not received/taken a vaccine) may continue in HSE facilities subject to students' continuing compliance with public health recommendations and infection prevention and control practice.” 

Dr Henry stated that this memo superseded his memo of 26 March 2021.

Subsequently, in August 2021, HSE issued a document entitled " HSE Guidance on Clinical Placements in HSE Facilities". This document stated that HSE remained  committed to working with key partners to support clinical placements for the coming academic year to the greatest practical degree subject to the priority of protecting the safety of patients, staff and students. The HSE Guidance further stated that the HSE was not seeking to impose vaccination on students.