Leo Varadkar: Growing confidence elderly may get Covid vaccine in new year

Mr Varadkar said "there is hope on the horizon" for a vaccine for the elderly and health care workers but the Irish public should be prepared for further "local lockdowns" as we head into winter months.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar says he is optimistic Ireland can begin vaccinating the most vulnerable against Covid-19 in the new year.

The surprising admission came as Mr Varadkar was speaking in Kildare where he announced new supports for local businesses, after localised restrictions saw the county's economy suffer a second blow.