Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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536. To ask the Minister for Health if he will outline the view of NPHET on the rising infection rate in County Waterford which remains the highest Covid-19 infection rate in the country for a number of weeks while the county has the highest vaccination rate in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55675/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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537. To ask the Minister for Health if it is policy to minimise transmission of Covid-19 or to achieve a 100% vaccination rate; if it is to minimise transmission of Covid-19, the reason free antigen testing has been rolled out to only the vaccinated; if a policy to minimise transmission should include the roll out of antigen testing for use by all persons in a variety of settings similar to the situation across many European Union countries; his views on whether the policy of pushing vaccination over the use of antigen testing is failing given the high levels of transmission presently within a highly vaccinated society; his plans to change or review the current policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55680/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Since the outset of the pandemic, a multi layered approach has been adopted. We have relied on a combination of measures including physical distancing, mask wearing, hand and respiratory hygiene, robust and responsive testing, contact tracing and isolation, and vaccination. This multi-layered approach remains at the core of Government policy.

As the Deputy will be aware, Covid-19 incidence across the country is very high and has been increasing at a concerning rate. The numbers of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in hospital and ICU also remain high. The latest public health advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team described the overall epidemiological situation as concerning and uncertain. This advice reiterates the need for the continuation of the full range of current measures to suppress transmission levels.

Rapid testing has a role to play as another valuable tool in Ireland’s battle against Covid-19, and the Minister for Health has been very clear that he supports its wider use. Since Thursday 28 October, asymptomatic fully vaccinated close contacts of any person that tested positive for Covid-19 can test themselves at home using free antigen tests provided by the HSE.

Antigen tests are also already in use across a range of appropriate settings and contexts. In the health sector, the HSE has deployed antigen tests for use in acute hospital settings, and as part of the response to outbreaks in the community The HSE is also operating a pilot antigen detection testing programme for staff in a number of Residential Care Facilities for Older Persons across the country.

The Minister for Health has asked officials in his Department to investigate potential options for the wider supply of antigen tests across the community. It is important to note that the Rapid Testing Expert Advisory Group has advised the Minister that there should be a cost effectiveness analysis prior to any recommendation being implemented.

Rapid antigen testing can play a role as another tool in Ireland’s response to Covid-19, and the Department of Health, NPHET and the HSE continue to monitor their potential utility and explore further how they can support the existing testing programme where appropriate.