HSE spends €850,000 on contact tracing app so far

The Health Service Executive (HSE) says its new Covid-19 contact tracing app has cost €850,000 so far to develop.
HSE spends €850,000 on contact tracing app so far
It is set to be launched this week if given the green light by Cabinet.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) says its new Covid-19 contact tracing app has cost €850,000 so far to develop.

The app will work via Bluetooth and let people know if someone, who they have been around, has coronavirus.

Newstalk's Technology correspondent Jess Kelly says huge efforts have been made to protect people's privacy.

Ms Kelly says: "When the contact tracing team calls you, or when you are on to the contact tracing team, after you have been a confirmed case,

"They will ask do you consent to issuing the diagnosis so again you have to consent to that.

"Every element of this requires user consent."

Yesterday the Irish Examiner reported that the contact tracing smartphone application will be live for at least six months before any judgement can be made as to whether or not it works effectively.

The HSE says that effectiveness will be measured via the app’s levels of engagement.

The CovidTracker Ireland app, which has been in development since late March, is due to go live following a number of false starts, pending Government approval.

More in this section

Irish homelessness Government criticised for missing social and affordable housing targets
National Risk Assessment for Ireland Tánaiste urges Israel ‘to show humanity’ and allow more aid into Gaza
Lego set based on RNLI lifeboat could soon become a reality Lego set based on RNLI lifeboat could soon become a reality
War_map
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited