Seán Crowe
Ceist:92. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland plans to join and support the WHO programmes C-TAP and COVAX. [6110/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 4 February 2021
Ceisteanna (92)
Freagraí scríofa
Ireland is playing its full part as member of the global health community to ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines for all. This includes supporting the World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Vaccine Alliance and the Global Fund, to develop, produce and equitably distribute effective technologies in the COVID-19 global response.
The vaccine roll-out effort will represent a challenge for many developing countries with limited health systems capacity. Ireland’s Embassies will be working alongside WHO and other health partners to support this effort. This will build on our support to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which is also supporting country readiness for vaccine deployment, by addressing vaccine approvals, cold chain issues and access to syringes. In this regard effective vaccine administration is as important as vaccine delivery.
Vaccine supply constraints remain an issue, particularly for low income countries. In response to this, the Irish Aid allocation to global health will increase to at least €50 million in 2021, to include support for global equitable access to vaccines through the COVAX facility and the WHO.
Ireland has welcomed Costa Rica's leadership on the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP). The Government shares the objectives for the initiative to achieve a common outcome in public health for the benefit of all. Ireland has consistently championed collaborative responses to the pandemic, with a focus on ensuring that the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable are served by our collective effort. The C-TAP proposal touches on the work of a number of Government Departments and other stakeholders. My Department is consulting with relevant stakeholders with a view to considering practical engagement.