Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will revert to the personal protective equipment, PPE, issue, and hand sanitiser in particular and the best by date. Perhaps the HSE will come back to the committee with the definitive position on that. The figure of €25 million worth is a significant sum of money. Surely there is a use for that across the health sector. That needs to be questioned with the manufacturers.

With regard to PPE. The Comptroller and Auditor General estimates the impairment charges of €374 million, and these are recognised in the 2020 financial statement. In 2021, the HSE incurred further impairment charges of €109 million. That is a total impairment of €483 million. It is a substantial sum of money. I understand, and it has been explained a few times in this committee by the Health Service Executive in relation to why a lot of stuff must be procured quickly, that saving lives was the priority. At the same time, it has turned out that a lot of the PPE purchased was not suitable, fell short of standards, or maybe was more than we needed. In the situation that we were in, obviously people have to play it safe. The figure of €483 million is a substantial sum of money. Perhaps Mr. Mulvany will respond to that.