Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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287. To ask the Minister for Health the status of recommendations arising from a report on vitamin D deficiency and Covid-19 submitted to his Department by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health. [2752/22]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The Joint Committee on Health 's Report on addressing Vitamin D Deficiency as a Public Health Measure has four recommendations and my Department is responsible for delivering on the first two recommendations.

Recommendation 1 is for daily Vitamin D supplements for the entire adult population. Current policy advice on vitamin D supplementation is aimed at three population groups; infants, 1-4 year old children and all adults 65 years and over. The new policy recommendation for adults 65 years and over was introduced in November 2020 and outlines the importance of vitamin D for bone and muscle health. It recommends that people aged 65 and older take a 15 micrograms (15μg) vitamin D supplement every day to ensure they get the essential amount of vitamin D they need.

Recommendation 2 is regarding vitamin D supplementation of the entire population. My Department has requested the Scientific Committee of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland to review the evidence on this and provide me with recommendations. This is the process used by my Department to ensure evidence- based advice. The report will be delivered in 2022.

Once the Food Safety Authority of Ireland recommendations are received, my Department will develop a public health policy to increase knowledge and encourage increased intake of Vitamin D through supplementation, if appropriate.

Recommendation 3 deals with the issue of reducing the cost of Vitamin D supplementation by reconsidering the current VAT rate applied. This is a matter for the Department of Finance.

Recommendation 4 requires that specific measures be put in place for frontline workers and is a matter for the HSE and my Department have referred this to HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. With regard to specific measures being put in place for vulnerable groups, especially nursing home residents, my Department has had discussions with the HSE Clinical Lead for Older People regarding implementing the vitamin D policy for adults aged 65 years and older in nursing homes.