Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It will be hugely frustrating for people to hear that this was recommended in April and we still have no action on it. I listened this morning to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science speak on the radio about an argy-bargy on the issue of antigen testing and the need to properly assess. We heard yesterday there is no evidence base. We could have been preparing such an evidence base. We do not know where the evidence will take us but it is legitimate to pilot antigen testing to identify if a combination of this system or a particular formula or platform could work.

The Minister with responsibility for third level education also stated this morning that the Government was looking at the possibility of paying for PCR tests for children travelling with parents after 19 July. We should have had an antigen test system in place and we should, at least, have tested the system. Is the Government considering funding PCR tests?

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