The HSE is planning to use antigen testing for outbreaks and potentially for close contacts, according to its chief executive Paul Reid "We are planning to utilise antigen testing for outbreaks where they are very well proven and potentially also for close contacts," Mr Reid said.
He said the HSE is looking at a range of initiatives. "In the UK there's elements of self-swabbing, et cetera," he added. Speaking on RTÉ's This Week, Mr Reid said the health service is "extremely busy" as a result of a backlog caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. "There is a delay factor where people haven't come forward during Covid," he said.