Free antigen tests will be made available in primary schools on or before November 29, it was confirmed yesterday.
It comes as Leinster House staff will have access to the free tests – but TDs and Senators will have to pay.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and Education Minister Norma Foley have finally revealed the new plan for schools.
Testing will not take place but if a child has a positive PCR test, parents will be asked to notify the principal immediately.
They will then inform the parents of the children in their pod that there has been a positive case and they are close contacts.
The name of the child or any other details will not be shared.
Parents will be offered the opportunity to order free antigen tests from the distribution company.
These will be posted to the families in the pod.
Parents will carry out the test on the day it is received and every second day until three tests have been done.
The children in the pod can continue to attend school as long as they remain asymptomatic and their results remain not detected.
Where two or more confirmed cases occur in a class, within a seven-day period and outside of a single pod, antigen testing will be offered to the full class.
Minister Foley said: “I urge parents to take the opportunity to inform principals quickly if a child receives a positive result from a PCR test. By doing this, the choice to participate in antigen testing can be offered to other parents.
“It is important that everyone continues to follow all the public health advice in using this new programme.”
Minister Donnelly added: “I welcome this move but I am keen to stress the public health message remains – anyone who has any respiratory symptoms should self-isolate at home and get a Covid-19 PCR test as soon as possible.”
In a statement, the Department of Education said it is not mandatory for children to participate in antigen testing.
Meanwhile, the Houses of the Oireachtas backtracked after several TDs on the Business Committee appeared
to be of the understanding TDs and Senators would be given free antigen tests.
A number of deputies criticised the move given Minister Donnelly had stated the public would have to pay.
The whips of the three Coalition parties emailed the Ceann Comhairle requesting both groups and parties in the Dail should make a “full contribution” to the cost of tests if they are used by either elected members or their staff.
Transport Minister Eamon Ryan told the House he did not want to see a “them and us narrative” on antigen testing.
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