Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021
405. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Defence if he will request the Department of Health to prioritise Covid-19 vaccination for members of the Defence Forces leaving the country for active duty in the next six months. [45136/20]
View answer410. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Defence when members of the Defence Forces serving overseas can expect to receive a Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1280/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 405 and 410 together.
As of 4 January 2021, Ireland is contributing 586 Defence Forces personnel to 10 different missions throughout the world and also to a range of international organisations and National representations.
The main overseas missions in which the Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 350 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 138 personnel.
As part of its response to the global Covid pandemic, on 5 April, 2020 the United Nations Secretary General directed the suspension of all rotations and leave for military personnel serving in UN missions until 30 June 2020. This was followed by a partial resumption of rotations and transitional measures that the UN have directed will apply up until 31 March 2021. These include rigorous quarantine measures for all rotations of military personnel to and from UN peacekeeping operations.
In addition Host Nations also imposed quarantine and Covid testing requirements for military personnel serving in UN missions.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy approved by Government sets out a priority list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and Department of Health, and endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
The Defence Forces are currently identifying the prioritisation of a number of Defence Forces’ cohorts for early vaccination against COVID-19. Vaccinations will be prioritised in the first instance to frontline Defence Force personnel directly involved in the containment of COVID-19 in support of the HSE and in the maintenance of essential frontline services. Personnel selected for overseas service will be prioritised thereafter and may be dependent on the mission area to which they deploy.
In all cases vaccinations, will be in line with the national rollout plan and subject to availability of the vaccine, which is coordinated through the HSE.
