Written answers

Thursday, 23 September 2021

Department of Education and Skills

Covid-19 Tests

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

304. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has engaged with universities and colleges on the use of Covid-19 antigen testing in third-level institutions; the plans that are in place for the roll-out of antigen testing on college campuses; the timeline for any such roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45913/21]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government’s intention is to strengthen the prevention and intervention measures around COVID-19 in response to the changing context including surveillance, track and trace, and potential use of new technology. My Department recognises the potential role of rapid antigen testing as one part of a package of surveillance and vigilance measures that could also include self-monitoring and other public health non-pharmaceutical interventions.

Following the establishment by the Minister for Health of an Expert Advisory Group on Rapid Testing, my Department wrote to the Group outlining steps already taken to pilot rapid testing initiatives in the further and higher education sector. My Department has requested the Group’s early advice in determining the appropriate role for rapid testing and parameters around its usage in higher and further education settings

Recent advice published by HIQA sets out the need to be prepared for any future mass testing programme for asymptomatic people.

Among the steps already taken to prepare the sector is the provision of support for an SFI-backed research project entitled ‘Multi-site study to develop a SARS-CoV-2 Infection Surveillance System for Third Level Students and Staff in the Republic of Ireland’, known as UniCoV. This study began on June 14 across four universities. It is expected that the study, comprising approximately 8000 staff and students, will provide valuable learning on the potential role rapid antigen testing can take in this sector.

My Department has also joined a HSE-led Pilot Project Working Group to pilot approaches for the operation of rapid testing in education settings. The purpose of these pilots is to examine the acceptability of the tests for individuals and the sites – i.e. can the site manage the process, do staff and students sign up and do they stick with it, do the tests pick up any positive cases and what, if any, are the unintended consequences. Secondary to this feasibility aspect is, following the pilots, determining whether the model is scalable and if so, what changes would need to be made to the process and what additional resources would be required.

These pilots have commenced and five further and higher education sites are participating in the study. My Department is supportive of HSE proposals to expand these pilot studies to further locations in the coming period and a number of new sites will commence pilot studies shortly. The findings of these pilots with regard to feasibility and implementation will inform planning and preparation for any wider scheme, in line with HIQA’s advice.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.