Tag Archives: Antigen Tests

Antigen test kits for sale at a Dunnes Stores branch in Dublin this morning

This afternoon.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly earlier told RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne that the government has scrapped a subsidy for antigen tests as the price of kits had fallen. He said kits which had been broadly retailing at €8 per test were now under €5 and within reach and that the ‘market has done it itself’.

Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall responded:

“It beggars belief that Health Minister Stephen Donnelly would announce a U-turn of this scale, as an aside in a media interview, on RTE radio – after senior ministers spent weeks assuring people a subsidy scheme was nearing completion.

“At the start of the month, Nphet changed its advice on antigen tests and advised that anyone engaged in so-called risky activities – which can be summarised as, leaving your home to meet people indoors – should take two antigen tests per week.

“In recognition of the increased financial burden this places on households, particularly low income households, the government opted to provide a subsidy for antigen tests, rather than offer them free of charge.

“Now we learn that because antigen tests are available in certain retailers for approximately €3 or €4 a test, the government is scrapping its proposed subsidy. Apparently, it believes that this is an affordable price for households to absorb.

“This again shows how out of touch this government has become. It has no comprehension of the financial struggles that ordinary people in Ireland are enduring. Antigen tests that are €3 or €4 each may be affordable for government ministers, but they are priced out of reach of many low and middle income workers and families.”

Health Minister says subsidy for antigen tests ‘unnecessary’ after retail price reductions (RTE)

Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

This morning/afternoon.

The ‘very, very, expensive’ Antigen tests.

Yesterday: Test This

Update:

Gary Gannon, education spokesmnan for the Social Democrats, said:

“It is incredible that arrangements for antigen tests would be put in place for TDs before teachers and children in primary schools.

“The government has now been promising for months to put in place a system of antigen testing in schools, but we are still none-the-wiser about the details of any proposed scheme. Speaking during the week, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly refused to give any indication of when this scheme is likely to be rolled out.

“In that context, it is indefensible for free antigen testing to be rolled out for TDs before they are made available for teachers and children. Schools are under severe pressure from the current onslaught of covid cases and testing is desperately required to identify case and suppress transmission.

“Meanwhile, a proposed subsidy scheme, for antigen tests for the wider community, has also not been announced yet. This means the cost of antigen tests are prohibitive for many who would otherwise use them.”

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This morning.

Meanwhile…

This afternoon.

Anyone?

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