HSE found school at centre of Beacon vaccine controversy ‘just trying to do the right thing’ - Donnelly

Department of Health has received the HSE’s report on the matter but it has not yet been published

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said a report by the HSE into vaccinations given to teachers by the Beacon Hospital has found that the school at the centre of the controversy was "just trying to do the right thing".

Mr Donnelly asked the HSE to review of the vaccination programme at the south Co Dublin private hospital after 20 teachers from St Gerard’s school near Bray, Co Wicklow were given jabs in March.

The Department of Health has received the HSE's report on the matter but it has not yet been published.

RTÉ News reported on Wednesday morning that the report has found no evidence that the school solicited the vaccines.

READ MORE

The HSE review is reported to have found that the school acted in good faith after being assured that the offer was entirely legitimate.

Fine Gael Senator Regina Doherty said on Twitter that she did not think anybody has suggested the school was to blame and that the report should be published today.

Mr Donnelly was asked about the HSE report during an interview on Newstalk Radio this morning. He said it was a "bit early" for him to comment.

He said: “I’ve had a quick conversation with the HSE about it and as you say one of the things contained in there is really the school in question - there’s no blame being put there whatsoever. The conclusion is they really were just trying to do the right thing.”

Asked if the report will be published on Wednesday, a Department of Health spokeswoman said: “The report will be considered by the Minister and a decision on publication made when that process has concluded.”

Cormac McQuinn

Cormac McQuinn

Cormac McQuinn is a Political Correspondent at The Irish Times