The Health Information and Quality Authority has recommended that antigen tests be used once or twice a week in meat plants as an alternative to a monthly PCR test.
HIQA's Chief Scientist, Dr Conor Teljeur, said meat processing plants have been identified as setting where workers have a higher risk of infection and transmission.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, he said rapid antigen tests are not as accurate as PCR tests and are designed for use in symptomatic individuals.
Dr Teljeur said serial testing is used for asymptomatic people and rapid antigen testing is not as sensitive in those individuals.