Gino Kenny Demands Inquiry into Unsuitable PPE Spending
Gino Kenny raised concerns about PPE procurement and spending during the 2020 pandemic, citing differing figures and the unsuitability of much of the equipment. He pressed for an inquiry after reporting a Sunday Business Post figure of €770 million and a parliamentary question that put spending at €1 billion.
Claims on PPE spending
The Sunday Business Post reported a lack of oversight regarding PPE requirements in 2020 and referenced a figure of €770 million. Gino Kenny said his parliamentary question to the HSE last year indicated the figure had reached €1 billion.
Parliamentary question details
Kenny said his question broke down that most of the PPE was actually unsuitable for use. He also highlighted that it cost the state about €8 million a year to store PPE that was deemed unsuitable.
Call for inquiry
Kenny told the Taoiseach there must now be an inquiry into all the money spent on PPE that was unsuitable, arguing that oversight is required given the sums involved and the pandemic circumstances.
Government response
The Taoiseach responded that procurement took place amid pandemic pressures and on principles aimed at ensuring sufficiency of supply. He said he would seek a more detailed reply from the HSE regarding procurement and the pandemic response.
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The Sunday Business Post reported that there was a lack of oversight in regards to requirement of PPE in 2020, and the figure that was referenced in the article was €770 million. Now in the parliamentary question I asked of the HSE last year, that figure went to €1 billion spent on PPE. And we all understand, at that time, you know, PPE equipment was very hard to get, and we needed, you know, we needed a PPE in our health system. But surely, and actually in that question, it was broken down that most of the PPE was actually unsuitable. It cost the state €8 million a year to actually store some of the PPE that's just unsuitable. Surely now, Taoiseach, there has to be an inquiry in relation to all the money that was spent for PPE that was unsuitable. Thank you. Taoiseach. Again, the procurement of PPE, and I get a more detailed reply from the HSE in relation to this. But it is important to point out that in the midst of a pandemic, actions were taken on a set of principles as well, in making sure that we would have a sufficiency of supply of PPE. But I get a more detailed reply in relation to, sorry, response from the HSE in relation to the pandemic. Thank you. Hello everyone. I'm going to cuthow, thank you again. Brett had a more detailed reply. Thank you. Combined and support gMel��.
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