Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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556. To ask the Minister for Health the reason new guidelines state that antigen tests will be accepted for travel into Ireland only from those who are fully vaccinated and exclude those who hold an EU Digital COVID Certificate as a result of recovery from Covid-19; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the State’s own guidance on travel to Ireland, published on www.gov.ie, acknowledges that it may sometimes not be possible to present a negative RT-PCR result due to a persistently positive RT-PCR test following recovery; the reason, when the HSE’s guidance accepts that those who have recovered may not be able to receive a negative PCR, a negative antigen test cannot be accepted from those who have recovered and hold an EU Digital COVID Certificate; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that antigen tests have been accepted across Europe for all passengers, including vaccinated, unvaccinated and recovered; the reason the Government is subjecting the recovered to the extra expense of a PCR test when an antigen test would be more accurate in their case; the reason, when the HSE accepts that the recovered are immune for a period of nine months and hold an EU Digital COVID Certificate for a period of six months, they cannot be treated in the same manner as the vaccinated and allowed to take antigen tests for travel into Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60097/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The requirements for travel are kept under regular review based on the evolving international epidemiological situation. At present, and as part of our response to the emergence of the Omicron variant, passengers travelling to Ireland require a valid test result (subject to limited exemptions). Full details on international travel policy and the types of tests accepted are published at www.gov.ie/travel.

It is understood that some travellers may not be able to present evidence of a negative/not-detected RT-PCR test prior to travel due to persistently positive RT-PCR test after recovery. To enable such persons to travel to Ireland, it is permissible under the legislation to present a positive RT-PCR result dated more than 11 days and less than 180 days prior to the date on which the person arrives in the State. From 5 December, such individuals will also be asked to present a negative antigen test result upon arrival as part of the public health measures.