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'Nothing was run by us before list was published': Some official vaccination centres claim deals haven't been finalised

The minister released a list of 37 locations for vaccination centres yesterday.

A NUMBER OF venues confirmed by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly as locations for mass vaccination centres have said they have not yet finalised deals with the health service.

Yesterday, the minister released a list of 37 vaccination centre locations which will be used as part of the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

The venues include sports venues, college campuses and hotels, and a government spokesperson indicated this evening that there will likely be 40 centres in total when the list is finalised.

The list released on Monday stated that contracts for just two of the venues – Longford Slashers GAA and Faithful Field GAA Centre – were to be finalised.

However, a number of venues said today that the use of their premises has not been confirmed and they were surprised at the minister’s announcement.

On its Facebook page the Seven Oaks Hotel in Carlow said the use of the hotel had not been confirmed by the HSE.

“The HSE did enquire with us last month but nothing has been confirmed at this stage,” the hotel said.

A spokesperson for the minister told TheJournal.ie that the list is subject to change as the roll-out progresses and other locations are identified.

He said the hotel in Carlow had been identified as a possible location but in recent days, due to a change in specifications, it was deemed too small. Additional site visits in Carlow are taking place today to identify an alternative site.

General manager of the hotel Michael Walsh told TheJournal.ie that he was still awaiting final confirmation from the HSE, but he had been told the venue may be too small. 

He said the use of the hotel as a vaccination centre “would have given us a boost, but we’re not dependent on it”.

In Wicklow, the owners of the Charlesland Golf Club in Greystones were also caught off guard.

Gabriel Dooley, the estate agent who has been managing the plans for this venue, told TheJournal.ie that “nothing was run by the owners or us before they published the list”.

He said that while planning for the vaccination centre is at an advanced stage and discussions with suppliers are ongoing, “the deal hasn’t been finalised”.

The Bloomfield House Hotel in Westmeath also said full confirmation has not been received.

At some of the other locations, management was not surprised by the list and in the case of the Midlands Park Hotel in Laois it is already being used for GP vaccinations.

“We’ve been in regular contact with the HSE and we’re delighted to play our part in the fight against Covid-19,” general manager Dara Cruise said

Breaffy House Resort in Mayo also confirmed to prospective guests that it will be used as a vaccination centre, stating that it would not impact on reservations.

In a statement today the HSE said the list is subject to change and these centres will come on stream as needed, with a dedicated workforce from late March or early April.

“All centres will be ready in advance of the need to match vaccine supply which, based on current information, is forecast to reach a peak in Quarter 2,” it said. The HSE said criteria for selection included ease of access, transport links and parking.

“At the moment, people do not need to register for vaccination in advance – when we move forward to begin vaccinating the next priority groups, the HSE will use news, public notices, advertising, social media, partner organisations to alert people that it’s their turn to come forward.

“For those who do not have a GP, the HSE can support people through our phone line. More information on this process will be announced by the HSE very shortly, and we will be engaging with partner organisations, to keep them informed, and to ask for their support as relevant.”

According to the government’s Covid-19 Vaccination Implementation Plan GP surgeries and pharmacies will also be used in the mass ramp-up of the vaccination programme.

- With reporting by Stephen McDermott and Cónal Thomas.

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    Mute Kieran Ferrett
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    Jun 23rd 2024, 10:34 PM

    Scotland weren’t Hungary enough

    112
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    Mute Stiles
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    Jun 24th 2024, 12:08 AM

    defo peno.. ref was muck.. hard luck Scotland..

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    Mute Kevin Kennedy
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    Jun 24th 2024, 12:12 AM

    @Stiles: Thanks Johnny

    11
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    Mute Sean O'Dhubhghaill
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    Jun 24th 2024, 6:28 AM

    @Stiles: Scottish player was pulling Hungarian player by shirt. Both fell.

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    Mute Nodon
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    Jun 24th 2024, 3:27 PM

    @Sean O’Dhubhghaill: correct and all the pundits ‘missed’ that though it was perfectly obvious in the replays.

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    Mute Sean O'Dhubhghaill
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    Jun 23rd 2024, 10:21 PM

    What happened Varga? I have seen 3 or 4 replays and can’t see what happened. Good news us that apparently he is OK.

    39
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    Mute Kevin Collins
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    Jun 23rd 2024, 10:24 PM

    @Sean O’Dhubhghaill: Took an elbow to the head and knocked clean out. Hopefully nothing more than concussion.

    53
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    Mute Fergus O'Connor
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    Jun 23rd 2024, 11:06 PM

    @Sean O’Dhubhghaill: From the still image the keeper caught him with his trailing left arm after punching the ball clear with his right. Could have been a head or neck injury nothing been confirmed other than he’s now stable in hospital.

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    Mute Sean Money
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    Jun 24th 2024, 9:59 AM

    @Kevin Collins: any GAA player would have kept playing

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    Mute Helen McKernan
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    Jun 24th 2024, 12:34 PM

    @Sean O’Dhubhghaill: broken bones in his face & eye socket & bad concussion aparently.good to see hes awake though and stable in hospital.was scary enough watching can only imagine how frightened his family were. Speedy recovery!

    6
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    Mute damien leen
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    Jun 24th 2024, 3:24 AM

    0 shots on target…again! Says it all.

    36
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    Mute Ann Nugent
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    Jun 24th 2024, 1:37 AM

    Hard luck Scotland ,from Ireland ,we Celts. Xxx When you know you know. X

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    Mute Christopher Fealy
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    Jun 24th 2024, 6:43 AM

    @Ann Nugent: no way hard luck. DEFINITELY DELIGHTED SCOTLAND GONE..DONT FORGET THEM AND WALES VOTED FOR FRANCE TO HOLD RUGBY WORLD CUP LAST YEAR . TOOK THE BIG FAT BROWN ENVELOPE. AT LEAST ENGLAND

    47
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    Mute sean weir
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    Jun 24th 2024, 7:23 AM

    @Christopher Fealy what a strange comment,a dub obviously

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    Mute Sean O'Dhubhghaill
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    Jun 24th 2024, 9:35 AM

    @Christopher Fealy: At least England………….. what?

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    Mute Gerry Campbell
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    Jun 24th 2024, 9:39 AM

    @Sean O’Dhubhghaill: Voted for us…he has a point.

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    Mute James T.Kirk
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    Jun 24th 2024, 9:50 AM

    @sean weir: Don’t worry bog warrior.

    6
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    Mute sean weir
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    Jun 24th 2024, 7:20 AM

    Any one but ENGLAND ,and that was definitely a penalty for Scotland

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    Mute Sean Money
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    Jun 24th 2024, 8:31 AM

    @sean weir: I looked this morning expecting to see a stonewall penalty after ready all the comments. Not a penalty, the scot player manhandled him.

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    Mute reg morrisey
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    Jun 24th 2024, 9:02 AM

    Definitely a penalty. Ref needs glasses.

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    Mute Sean O'Dhubhghaill
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    Jun 24th 2024, 9:36 AM

    @reg morrisey: Scottish player pulled him. Both fell.

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    Mute Michael o Dwyer
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    Jun 24th 2024, 9:44 AM

    @Sean O’Dhubhghaill: it was definitely a penno. Caught the Scottish player with his knee before. I’ve seen pennos given for a lot less

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    Mute Sean Money
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    Jun 24th 2024, 5:17 AM

    I suppose you’re wondering what’s under me kilt!!!

    7
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