By January, the HSE had access to testing for 22,000 a day.
The HSE has paid private labs almost €250 million for Covid-19 testing during the pandemic.
According to freedom of information figures, the bill for January was nearly €36 million.
Eoghan Murphy reports:
"The HSE says at the start of the pandemic, Ireland was reliant on Covid testing within its hospitals, public labs and the National Virus Reference Laboratory.
But due to greater demand, off-shore testing was sourced and this was retained to make sure there wasn't a shortfall.
By January, the HSE had access to testing for 22,000 a day, through state and private providers.
There was also additional off-shore capacity available on demand.
Between March 2020 and April of this year, the HSE paid private labs nearly 250 million euro.
The highest was nearly 36 million in January - during the peak of the pandemic - followed by over 28 million last October.
Health economist at UCC, Brian Turner, says the spending is justified.
The HSE says it recognises the role of commercial providers in supporting the Covid response programme - and the value of the additional capacity. "
Investigations Continue In Finglas After A Man Was Stabbed To Death
Major Irish Retailers Discontinue Straffan Resident Conor McGregor’s Alcohol Products After Lawsuit Loss
Taoiseach Denies Fine Gael Attempted To Stop RTE Posting His Interaction With A Care Worker
Over 100 People Evacuated After Fire Breaks Out At Reception Centre In Kilbride Military Camp
Man's Assault Charge Upgraded To Murder After Canadian Tourist Dies Following Dublin Attack
Watch: Two Hundred UNIFIL Troops Arrived Home This Afternoon After Six Months In Lebanon
Watch: Wicklow Council Rejects Refugee Village's Bid to Legalise Unapproved Buildings Near Blessington
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald Claims The Taoiseach's Encounter With A Disability Worker In Cork Shows A "Power" That Doesn't Listen
