Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2020
228. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of units of PPE provided to each direct provision centre for staff use and for use by persons seeking international protection. [10066/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra262. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of additional financial support given from March to May 2020 to provide PPE to persons in direct provision during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10472/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 262 together.
I can inform the Deputy that the total expenditure for the provision of PPE for International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation centres for the period from March to end May 2020, was €521,488.27.
During this time, centre managers have been advised to increase the standard and frequency of cleaning throughout the centres, paying particular attention to communal areas. A regular supply of hand sanitiser for centres is in place and this is distributed to centres as required. Other PPE is distributed, as needed, and in line with the HPSC guidelines for its appropriate use in residential settings.
The overall figures for PPE items which were dispatched to the various IPAS accommodation centres are as follows:
|
Category of PPE |
Quantity |
|
Hand Sanitiser |
5,300 litres |
|
FFP 2 Face Masks |
150,000 |
|
Surgical Masks |
95,000 |
|
Face Visors |
200 |
|
Body Suits |
200 |
|
Gloves |
350,000 |
|
Aprons |
19,000 |
|
Assorted Hand Sanitiser Dispenser Bottles |
3,700 |
|
Hand Sanitiser Wall Dispenser Units |
335 |
|
Defibrillator |
1 |
These figures are approximate. Unfortunately, my Department is not currently in a position to extract the detail of what was dispatched to each location due to staffing resources and the fact that it would take a significant amount of time to collate the data.
In partnership with the HSE and Safetynet, my Department has also put in place a national clinical telephone service to provide public health advice to support centre staff. It is also being used to advise, support and work with locations where vulnerable groups are present relating to the implementation of COVID-19 guidelines and measures.
My Department and I will continue to work hard with local management, health agencies, and NGOs to provide every support possible to the residents and staff in our accommodation centres at this difficult time.
