Mairéad Farrell
Question:1481. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on purchases directly attributable to Covid-19 in 2019 and 2020; and the value of purchases found to be below standard. [14380/21]
View answerWednesday, 24 March 2021
Questions (1481)
Written answers
The HSE’s total current budget allocation for COVID-19 related measures in 2020 was €2,291m. There was no specific COVID-19 related current allocation in 2019. Within this 2020 allocation, there was a specific allocation for PPE expenditure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic of €920m. The total value of orders raised for PPE and related products (e.g. hand sanitisers/gels) in 2020 was €919m. All products received were reviewed against quality standards as specified by World Health Organisation and all purchases are subject to HSE standard terms and conditions. As in normal purchasing arrangements, if quality issues are identified, then the HSE engages with the supplier to agree a solution, e.g taking back unacceptable goods and refunding HSE, or supplying the HSE with a suitable alternative subject to prior quality assurance approval.
In relation to the products supplied by the HSE’s primary PPE supplier in China in March and April 2020, one product accounting for 4% of the total value of the first batch of PPE received was classified on receipt as being suitable for alternative use only. This product was re-purposed for use in other government departments via the Office of Government Procurement, and the HSE was reimbursed for the value of the stock. To date there has been no occasion where the HSE has had to write off the cost of PPE due to the products being below standard.
The HSE’s total capital budget allocation for COVID-19 related measures in 2020 was €220m. There was no specific COVID-19 related capital allocation in 2019. Within this 2020 allocation, there was a specific allocation for ventilators of €32m. Issues arose for some of these orders in relation to quality and/or failure to deliver (details supplied). These transactions are now the subject of discussions between the HSE, its legal advisors and the suppliers involved.