Work is continuing apace to provide daily updates on vaccination figures, the Oireachtas Health Committe has heard.
These updates can only be provided once an IT system is up-and-running, Chair of Ireland's High-Level Task Force on Covid-19 Vaccination Professor Brian MacCraith told TDs and Senators.
Professor MacCraith and representatives from the Health Service Executive, and the Assistant Secretary at the Department of Health are before the Oireachtas Committe this morning, where they are discussing the Covid-19 vaccination rollout.
TD Bernard Durkan was told that over the past three weeks, an average of 48,000 vaccination doses have been administered per week.
However, plans to have 700,000 people vaccinated by the end of March hang in the balance.
In response to questions from Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson David Cullinane, Prof MacCraith said that it was hoped that 1.4 million vaccine doses will arrive in Ireland by the end of March, allowing for 700,000 vaccinations.
However, at present, there are 1.1 million doses confirmed, with hope that more can be delivered.
Mr Cullinane was told that when it comes to over 70s being notified of their vaccine appointment, they will be contacted by the GP.
For other age categories, it is envisaged that an online portal will be up and running and people will be able to register and schedule their first and second vaccine doses using that platform.
At least 5,000 people have been trained to administer the Pfizer/Biontech vaccine in Ireland.
The HSE's National Director of Community Operations, David Walsh, told the committee that by mid-February, it would be "flat out" vaccinating frontline health workers.
He was asked by Labour Senator Annie Hoey about the implications of the decision to accelerate nursing home vaccinations for hospitals and other healthcare workers.
Mr Walsh said the HSE was now planning the recommencement of vaccinations for frontline workers.
He said that while the initial rollout of vaccinations in those settings was extremely busy, it was never going to be possible to continue at that pace given supply constraints.
Earlier this month, Independent TD Cathal Berry told the Dáil that roll-out of the digital system to track vaccinations had been sluggish.
He said that in some circumstances, those administering vaccines in nursing homes were recording information using pen and paper.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said not all elements of the IT system were needed at this point, but he hoped the full system would be operational next month.
Additional reporting by Sandra Hurley
