The Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, has highlighted that over-65s already account for more than 60% of inpatient bed days and that this group will grow from one in seven of the population to one in five by 2040. The national immunisation advisory committee has recommended respiratory syncytial virus, RSV, vaccination for those aged 75 and over and also for high-risk groups. The programme for Government committed to expanding RSV vaccination. I ask the Tánaiste to outline the steps the Government will take and the timeline for deciding whether an RSV vaccination programme for older adults will be implemented as part of managing future pressures on the health system and protecting the health of the older population.

I thank Deputy Burke for his question. It is certainly true to say that we have had enormous success with the RSV vaccination programme for infants, which significantly reduced infection, mortality and very severe illness for infants. I can confirm that we have sought a health technology assessment, HTA, for RSV immunisation by HIQA. The outcome of that will inform the policy decision that I make as to the most appropriate RSV immunisation strategy for infants but also for adults aged 65 and older. That HTA is due in the coming weeks. It is always the case with vaccinations that we take the World Health Organization's advice as well as the advice of our expert groups. We do that on an annual basis because, of course, circumstances change every year. I expect that HTA in the coming weeks and we will base our decision on that and on the intersection of the HSE's pathfinder as well.