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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Antigen testing implementation

Summary

Deputy Kelly asked for timelines and terms of reference for the antigen-testing expert group. The Tánaiste said Professor Horgan's group is the implementation group from the Ferguson report and that trials and workplace guidance are already under way, with hospitality a possible option.

I will ask about antigen testing in more detail. The chief scientific officer, Professor Mark Ferguson, did the report. It was never implemented because of issues in relation to NPHET. He suggested serial testing was very effective in respect of opening up society, particularly for travel, but obviously, we are now dealing with issues relating to hospitality and other industries.

According to the Minister for Health, there is now another expert rapid test group, as it is called, to be headed up by the very eminent Professor Mary Horgan. What are the timelines for this group, what are its terms of reference and how is it differentiated from Professor Ferguson's group?

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Leo Varadkar The Tánaiste Fine Gael

The Ferguson report on antigen testing recommended that an implementation group be established to implement the report. The group Professor Horgan is now chairing is that implementation group. It follows on from the Ferguson report. We have very advanced plans for antigen testing in third level institutions in September and October. That is part of this initiative. I have guidance on antigen testing in the workplace, which we are encouraging employers to do, and a lot of them are. We will be carrying out antigen testing at a pilot concert quite soon. It is all that kind of work.

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What about hospitality?

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Leo Varadkar The Tánaiste Fine Gael

Hospitality certainly is also a potential option.

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