The Minister for Health has confirmed that the "large majority" of people over the age of 85 will have received their first Covid-19 vaccine by Sunday.
Minister Stephen Donnelly said 520,000 vaccines have been delivered to Ireland with more expected in the coming days.
He acknowledged that healthcare staff are "exhausted" but said the "good news is that the pressure has eased" in our hospitals.
Mr Donnelly also told the Oireachtas Health Committee that solutions are being put in place to vaccinate vulnerable people who are bedbound.
He said some people over the age of 85 may not be vaccinated by the end of the weekend as they are physically unable to attend their GP or a vaccination hub, but he said measures will be put in place to solve this issue.
Galway-based Fine Gael Senator Seán Kyne pointed out that a number of islands have yet to receive doses for residents.
Minister Donnelly said the air corps has been directly involved in delivering vaccines to some islands, but said he would look further into the issue.
