Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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495. To ask the Minister for Health if a person who purchased PCR tests in order to adhere to the relevant travel advice when they purchased their flights is entitled to a refund considering that PCR tests were no longer required to travel on the day they travelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62578/21]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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516. To ask the Minister for Health if there is a plan in place to reimburse a person who paid for the recommended PCR test prior to travel back to Ireland from the UK (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62496/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 495 and 516 together.

At present, passengers travelling to Ireland require a valid test result (subject to limited exemptions). This requirement has been introduced on a temporary basis as part of our response to emergence of the Omicron variant. Travel requirements are kept under regular review based on the evolving international epidemiological situation and as understanding of the Omicron variant develops. There is no facility in place to pay costs for tests. In making regulations to introduce these testing requirements, regard was given to the need for balance between the importance of the measure to protect public health and ensuring travellers have sufficient notice of a legal requirement and sufficient time to arrange testing before travel.