Réada Cronin
Question:296. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if saliva testing could be used as a public health screening tool in primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44338/21]
View answerThursday, 16 September 2021
Questions (296, 297, 298)
Réada Cronin
Question:297. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of saliva testing in 10% of the primary school population on a fortnightly basis for three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44339/21]
View answerRéada Cronin
Question:298. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of saliva testing all unvaccinated children under 12 years of age every fortnight for three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44340/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 296, 297 and 298 together.
I have no plans to conduct saliva based public health screening for Covid-19 in schools at this time. As such, no evaluation has been undertaken to determine the feasibility, efficacy or purpose of such a programme and no estimate is available as to how much it would cost.