Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2020
752. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the amount Ireland has contributed to the RescEU stockpile to combat the Covid-19 crisis in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26884/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra753. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the medical supplies Ireland has received from the RescEU stockpile to help in the fight against Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26885/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 752 and 753 together.
In March 2020, the European Commission decided to create a strategic rescEU stockpile of medical equipment, such as ventilators and protective masks, to help EU countries in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The stockpile is jointly hosted by a number (currently six) of EU member states, which are responsible for procuring, storing, and transporting the equipment to where it is most needed across the EU and other participating countries, under the direction of the European Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre.
The rescEU reserve represents the “last resort” level of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, which can be activated for all types of natural and man-made hazards, such as floods, wildfires, and pandemics.
To date, Ireland has not received any supplies from the rescEU stockpile, nor has it signed up to become a host country for the joint stockpile.
