Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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598. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the role he foresees for the roll-out of antigen testing to support the sustained reopening of third-level educational facilities in 2021-22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23779/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government has confirmed that there will be a significant increase in on-site third level activity in September, and in June I will publish a plan for reopening in a significant way for the next academic year. The potential role of rapid antigen testing as one part of a package of surveillance measures to support this greater on-site provision is recognised, but the plan will not wholly depend upon this given the range of precautionary measures and other actions that can help ensure the safe wider re-opening of campuses and other educational settings and substantial on-site activity.

Plans for a multi-site pilot study to develop a COVID-19 surveillance system for third level students and staff in Ireland are at an advanced stage, and it is expected that the study will provide learning on the potential role rapid antigen testing can play. It is expected this will be rolled out across four universities this month.