Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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280. To ask the Minister for Health the plans to reinstate free PCR testing for covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30111/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Policy relating to testing for COVID-19 is based on public health advice. The HSE has adopted a targeted approach to COVID-19 testing, based on a clinical assessment where a clinician requires the result to contribute to the diagnosis and management of an individual patient. Testing continues in hospitals in accordance with public health advice, in relation to the management of an outbreak or specific public health risk and in community settings where a GP may decide to undertake a swab in relation to the management of an individual patient.

This approach to COVID-19 testing is facilitated by the high level of vaccine-induced and naturally acquired population immunity in Ireland. We have also implemented significant enhancements to infectious disease surveillance systems, which allows on-going assessment and close monitoring of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and the assessment of any potential threats to population health from COVID-19. This remains under continuous review from public health experts in the HSE.

Public health advice relating to COVID-19 is available on the website of the HSE at . Continuing to follow the public health advice is still important. People who have symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate until 48 hours after the symptoms are mostly or fully gone and avoid contact with other people, especially people at higher risk from COVID-19. Anybody who has concerns about an underlying condition or their level of risk in relation to COVID-19 is advised to seek advice from their GP or treating clinician.