Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Six months ago I raised the issue of antigen testing in a constructive way. I have one such test to hand. I will take it when I go home to protect my family, particularly my parents who are elderly and live close to me. It costs €5 and as I said I raised this six months ago. The European Commission has approved their use and they are being used increasingly internationally. The HSE even uses the results of these test in their counters for those who are infected. Liverpool City Council has tested 500,000 people and has had very good results, showing a rate of 84% to 91%, which is shown to be accurate. The UK has bought tens of thousands of these tests. Surely therefore, we should be using antigen testing as part of a mix of ways for managing the virus going forward. Many people have called for this. The technologies have improved. As an example, many of the teachers' unions have asked that these be used as part of the solution to opening up the schools in the coming weeks.

Will the Government consider that, please?

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