Dr. Ronan Glynn:

Sure. These are pilot studies that are being established by colleagues in the HSE. As the Deputy may be aware, the relevant authorities have already validated and used these antigen tests in some acute hospital settings. As she may also be aware in the context of her reference to nursing homes, we updated our recommendations regarding visitation a few weeks ago and we will be returning to the issue shortly with NPHET. One data point which may give people more hope and which shows the impact of vaccines is that no new outbreaks were reported in nursing homes across the country last week. It is the first time that has happened since last July. It is a really welcome development and shows the impact that vaccination can have. In respect of nursing homes, we are looking at the issues of visitation and serial testing and the ongoing role it can play. We will look at those issues in more detail over the remainder of this week and next week.

On antigen testing, the HSE is looking at the potential for its deployment and use as an additional tool in childcare settings across the various components of the education sector and in higher education, working with colleagues in the Departments of Education and Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. It is also being deployed to some extent in the meat processing industry. An evaluation of that is happening as we speak and is focusing on the value and utility or otherwise of it versus cost and other considerations. It has been rolled out over the past month.

Subject to the recent report of the Covid-19 rapid testing group, I know that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and a range of other Departments are looking at the potential for adding antigen testing as one more layer in their approach.