Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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326. To ask the Minister for Health the role he envisages rapid antigen testing playing in respect of Ireland's implementation of the EU Digital Covid Certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31859/21]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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330. To ask the Minister for Health if Ireland is planning to forgo its portion of the 550 million antigen tests that have been procured by the European Commission in order to facilitate the Digital Covid Certificate and make travel within the EU affordable for all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31931/21]

James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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385. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the potential for funding for the subsidisation of children’s PCR and antigen testing inbound and outbound at airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32561/21]

James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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386. To ask the Minister for Health if he will make funding available to enable PCR and antigen testing at airports in line with the Digital Covid Certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32562/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 326, 330, 385 and 386 together.

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests remain the gold standard in terms of COVID-19 testing, particularly in relation to the screening of travellers. Ireland does not accept antigen tests for travel related testing.

COVID-19 tests for the purposes of travel, both to and from the State, can be sourced via private testing providers, in order to preserve the testing capacity of the HSE for priority groups and public health screening.

Under the current travel measures, as provided in S.I. 135/2021, passengers travelling to Ireland are required to present evidence of a negative result from a PCR test. Currently, children aged 6 are not subject to this requirement. The Government has announced revised travel policies to take effect from 19th July in keeping with the EU Digital COVID Certificate. It is intended that from this date, children under 12 years of age will not be subject to the requirement for a pre-departure PCR test.

These travel measures are kept under continuous review based on public health advice and the international epidemiological situation.