Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I wish to start with the question of testing and tracing, which are some of the key tools in our living with the virus. It would be helpful if the witnesses were up front with the committee on the reasons the HSE is not using the full capacity of 100,000 tests per day. What is the main threat to having that kind of rapid and agile testing and tracing service in place? Is it a staffing problem? Is it a funding problem? What is preventing the HSE from operating a very active, proactive and reactive testing and tracing system?

My second question is on testing in meat plants. Who is paying for the 50,000 tests?

My third question relates to the flu vaccine and drops for children. What are the arrangements for administering that programme?

My fourth question is on the creation of additional capacity in private hospitals. How does the HSE propose to go about doing that?