New advice from the European Centre for Disease Protection and Control says where rapid antigen tests are available or can be scaled-up, 'test-to-stay' strategies could also be considered as a way to minimise disruption to schools

Full details about the planned testing programme for primary schools will be revealed in the coming days

'People of all ages need to use their judgement and use their cop-on,' the minister says

Health officials have been cold on antigen testing in the past, so what has changed after the latest announcement on Covid-19 restrictions?

The State's health watchdog has also said that the minimum age for the wearing of facemasks should not be reduced

Staff in early learning and childcare facilities across the East, North-East and West have volunteered to trial antigen testing

As of 8am today, there are 58 coronavirus patients in hospital, of which 16 are in ICU.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the rapid tests could play a part in the reopening of indoor dining in the near future, but said it was likely they will be used in the overall testing system first

TDs have criticised the reluctance of Nphet and Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan to support the use of rapid antigen testing as a tool to allow foreign travel

The rollout of the vaccine programme means the need for using antigen testing later this summer will diminish, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has said.

HSE group says antigen testing has a role as part of a supervised process 

The split over antigen tests has spilled from academia onto our social media feeds

Employers will be able offset the cost against their tax bill.

A report on the potential benefits of rapid antigen testing was published last month - but Professor Mark Ferguson said he has not had any communciation from the Department of Transport since its publication.

Specialist medic says such testing could be 'an additional tool for us to open society safely and sustainability'

Expert group approves the rollout of antigen tests to 'complement' existing testing regime

Isme chief executive Neil McDonnell said the policy of relying on the health restrictions and waiting for the vaccines to defeat the disease should be allied to the adoption of antigen testing to help the economy open up

Tests validated so far by the HSE show between 50% and 60% accuracy in asymptomatic people