Last week a UK report showed that girls who receive the HPV vaccine in their early teens have an almost zero risk of dying from cervical cancer but at a time when the research shows there is a chance of actually eliminating cervical cancer, uptake rates of the vaccine in schools is actually falling all over the country. It is down to 63% of girls taking it up in the Dublin North West region. In January, the Minister for Health announced a HPV vaccine catch-up programme for fifth and sixth year students. This was a really positive step, which I warmly welcomed as chair of the cross-party group on cancer. However, there is still a gap. There is no new catch-up scheme for young adults who missed the vaccine in schools. It costs €200 a dose for them. The national immunisation advisory committee, NIAC, recommends the vaccine for those up to the age of 24 years. When will the Government bring forward a new HPV catch-up campaign for young adults, so they can benefit from this protection as well?

I acknowledge genuinely Deputy O’Gorman’s long-standing commitment in relation to this. It is quite incredible that we have a vaccine in this country that can effectively eradicate a cancer that disproportionately impacts and kills young women in this country. Unfortunately, there have been campaigns, misinformation and disinformation. At times, not every Member of this House has supported the vaccine. I hope we have moved beyond those times because this is a vaccine that is highly safe and highly effective and everybody should support it.

I welcome the Deputy's thanks to the Minister for Health and the work she is doing on the catch-up programme. I know the priority here is to target the vaccine in the first instance at the age group where it is most effective - I think that is close to the age of 13 year - but we certainly do not rule out taking further actions; far from it. The Minister will continue to monitor this closely and I will keep in close contact with the Deputy on it.