My Department implements the Biocidal Product Regulation (EU No. 528/2012) to ensure that biocidal products placed on the Irish market are safe for humans, animals and the environment. Hand sanitisers and indeed certain other products such as disinfectants and some brands of wipes are biocidal products. All biocidal products, including hand sanitisers must be registered with my Department before being placed on the market
I wish to advise the Deputy that before centrally purchased supplies became fully available, it is possible that some small amounts of hand sanitiser products purchased locally may have been of a brand subsequently subject to a recall. However, all these supplies would have been used up before the recall that occurred later in 2020. On that basis, my Department can report that it is not seeking any reimbursements.
As regards the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.