Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020

Thursday, 30 July 2020

Questions (1268)

Pa Daly

Question:

1268. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Covid-19 tracker application can only be used by Irish residents with an Irish credit card on the app store despite the fact that the application does not cost money to download or use; if he will consider having the software developers amend this limitation to ensure visitors to Ireland can be required to use the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20386/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Covid Tracker App is free of charge and no credit card is required for free apps. Any notification from Apple/Google stores regarding credit card requirements are unrelated to the COVID Tracker app. The Covid Tracker app is currently available in both the Irish and UK app stores for iPhones and Android smartphones and the HSE is currently in the process of releasing it to app stores in other countries.  This means that the app can be downloaded by people with accounts in other app stores whether they are visitors to or residents in Ireland.