I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department has not encountered expenditure in respect of hand sanitisation products or other PPE products that were subsequently subject to a recall by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine this year.
Of the agencies operating under the remit of my Department, I can confirm that one agency, the Probation Service, did encounter expenditure this year in respect of hand sanitisation products or other PPE products that were subsequently subject to a recall by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I am informed by my officials in the Probation Service that the expenditure was related to the Community Service Supervisors work on sites across the country. I understand that costs in Dublin were in the amount of €2,128.53 excluding VAT and that the supplier has agreed to swap out these products. In relation to Community Service nationwide, I am informed that it is expected that costs will be minimal overall and that products are being replaced by the supplier.
