Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. The Government is supportive of the deployment of antigen testing as an additional tool to existing tools to deal with Covid-19. Yesterday, the Government approved formally the establishment of a group chaired by Professor Mary Horgan in respect of giving guidance and advice to different sectors within the Government, different Departments and agencies, and different sectors in society, as to the best way to deploy and roll out antigen testing. It is already in place in meat plants, for example. It is also being used in some healthcare settings by the HSE. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has developed a pilot programme in respect of third level education in anticipation of the autumn academic period. That is the Government's position right now.

It is an additional tool. It is not a replacement of any existing tool. It is part of a wide suite of measures that can be used.

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