Mr. Joe Ryan:

In addition to PCR testing which has been used in plants since August, there have been initiatives around antigen testing since October-November. We were involved, through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the HSE, in a validation trial of several different antigen test kits. A formal trial kicked off in January and February of one particular antigen test kit which was approved for use in self-swabbing and in asymptomatic settings. That validation programme involved running the antigen test kit alongside the PCR test in plants over those months. Approximately 18,000 people were tested using PCR tests and antigen tests with the results compared to facilitate the HSE and Department of Health approval of that particular antigen test kit for roll-out. The roll-out of that kit has commenced and is being used in plants in addition to the ongoing PCR testing.

On the Deputy's second question regarding training and upskilling, as general operatives come in there are ample opportunities to progress their career into roles such as quality, technical and other food production roles, sales and logistics, it is worth reiterating the point in our opening statement on the inflexibilities in the current permit legislation, which limit and delay the promotion of permit holders. It is worth teasing out in some detail. For EU-EEA staff, there are clear career paths where a worker with skills and initiative can progress in the sector but for permit holders it is limited by the structure of the permit scheme. The promotion of a permit holder, say a meat processor operative, may constitute a material change in their job description vis-à-visthe description of their job on the employment permit, which could put the company in breach of the legislation. For example, if a meat processor operative with excellent skills and initiative wants to progress and there is a role available as a team lead or supervisor, the permit holder cannot be promoted into the role as it would be a material change in their job description and there is no available permit for the role of supervisor. That is an immense source of frustration for the employee and also the employer. We ask that the system be examined so that rather than restricting progression, there would be an agreed framework whereby companies may still be compliant with the legislation while allowing permit holders to progress their careers. It is an important point that I am taking the opportunity to raise. Generally, there are a wide range of training and progression opportunities across the industry. I can go into more detail on those or send on details after if the Deputy wishes.