Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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264. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when antigen testing will be rolled out as an option for access to indoor dining; the reason for delays in implementing antigen testing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42683/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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At present, in line with public health-related Regulations, access to indoor dining may be granted to permitted persons with acceptable proof of immunity and also to children accompanying such permitted persons.  However, as set out in Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting, the Government's agreed plan for the next and final phase of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government hopes to be in a position from 22 October to remove remaining measures such as the legal requirement to prove immunity in order to access indoor hospitality.

The merits of possible application of antigen testing in settings such as indoor dining are being kept under review in my Department, informed by the work of the Rapid Testing Advisory Group chaired by Prof Mary Horgan.  In the meantime, our primary focus is to continue with our careful and gradual approach to easing remaining restrictions and facilitating full reopening from 22 October, while supporting the maximum reach of the vaccine programme and allowing time to achieve the full benefits for all those currently being vaccinated.