Government under fire over contact tracing 'collapse'

Sending texts asking people to inform close contacts 'undermines' the contact tracing system, says Dr Maitiu O Tuathail outside Ranelagh Medical where he works as a GP. Picture: Moya Nolan

The Government have been accused of "dropping the ball" in not employing enough staff which has led to a "collapse" in the contact tracing system.

Serious delays in employing up to 1,500 qualified people who signed up to the 'Be on Call for Ireland initiative' have been blamed, with both GPs and opposition members hitting out at the breakdown in contact tracing in recent days.