Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 November 2020

Thursday, 12 November 2020

Ceisteanna (167)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

167. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance if his Department or an agency operating under his Department has 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 in 2020; if so, the expenditure in respect of such products; if the expenditures will be recouped from the sellers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36003/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

I would like to advise the Deputy that the PPE and hand sanitisation products purchased for use within my Department have not been subject to the product recall issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in 2020.

There are also 17 bodies under the aegis of my Department, 16 of which incurred no expenditure in respect of hand sanitiser or other PPE products which were subject to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine recall.

The one remaining body, the Central Bank of Ireland, purchased 200 bottles of 50ml Virapro 70% hand sanitiser at a cost of €597.78 (incl. VAT). Upon receiving the recall order on the 27 October 2020, the Central Bank identified that 97 bottles of unused hand sanitiser remained in stock. This remaining stock is being securely stored and is awaiting collection by the service provider who has confirmed they will collect and replace these remaining bottles of hand sanitiser with an alternative brand, free of charge.