Skip to main content
Normal View

Covid-19 Tests

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 February 2022

Thursday, 17 February 2022

Questions (292, 319)

Paul Murphy

Question:

292. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 132 of 9 February 2022, if he will address the issue that this lack of access to recovery certificates is due to a failure of the HSE to provide PCR tests to potentially many thousands of persons therefore they are unable to obtain recovery certificates in lieu of a booster dose; and the way that his Department plans to resolve this issue for these persons. [8871/22]

View answer

Denis Naughten

Question:

319. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the process for a person who is under 40 years of age but over 16 years of age who has had their first and second vaccines and cannot receive their booster vaccine for three months given that they recently contracted Covid-19 and cannot apply for a Covid recovery certificate due to the fact they tested positive via a reported antigen test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8939/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 319 together.

The EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation (EU) 2021/953 creates a framework for the issuing, authentication, and validity of certificates. Under the scope and parameters laid out in the EU DCC Regulation, DCCs for recovery are not currently issued on the basis of antigen tests. 

The EU Digital COVID Certificate is not a travel document or a requirement for travel, but a record of a medical event to help ease freedom of movement with the European Union.  Any persons who wishes to travel to another EU country or access services aboard should familiarise themselves with the travel requirements of that country. Details are available at the Re-Open EU webpage: reopen.europa.eu/en

The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.

There was very significant demand for PCR testing during December and into January due to unprecedented levels of infection in the community, largely driven by the Omicron variant and reflecting both the high prevalence of the disease and also other respiratory illnesses at the time. The HSE made every effort necessary to address this very significant demand arising for PCR testing. This included making arrangements with private providers to add new capacity, extending the opening hours of swabbing centres and ongoing recruitment and redeployment to swabbing teams, and increasing the number of National Ambulance Service mobile teams. Due to demands on PCR capacity reaching the levels they did, changes were necessary to public health guidance, making antigen tests more widely available and allowing the HSE to prioritise access to PCR testing for those most vulnerable to the disease.

Top
Share