The plan for subsidising antigen tests has been scrapped by the Government, as Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the market took care of it.
For the past couple of weeks, a subsidy scheme was being worked on by Ministers - however, nothing was ever brought to Cabinet on the matter.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly confirmed this morning government won't subsidise the cost, saying the market had already stepped in to provide cheaper tests.
However, not all retailers are offering antigen tests at reduced costs.
The decision has been criticised by members of the opposition, including the Social Democrats co-leader Roisin Shortall.
"The Taoiseach also promised a subsidy scheme, and I can't believe the Government aren't going ahead with this," she said."
"€4 per test is a lot of money when we're trying to encourage people to use them much more widely.
"I cannot understand why the Government is doing this - it's a serious dereliction of duty."
