To ask the Minister of Health when his Department will request from the Department for Communities details of those receiving Carer's Allowance, to ensure that they are included as appropriate within the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

At present carers are included in priority 6 and are being offered their COVID-19 vaccination. Fortunately, there has been high demand among this cohort and recent slots were filled quickly.

We also now want to ensure the remaining carers have access to the vaccine in a timely manner. With this in mind public announcements were made on 24 and 25 February through the media and carers groups that they should contact their local Trust carer coordinator (contact details are available on the Department of Health website) and the vaccinating teams will contact them to arrange appointments.