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The products in question include wet wipes, hand sanitizers and refills, hand soap and detergents.
The Department of Education has not said that the products are unsafe, but that they have been removed from the approved list for schools because “it has not been possible to satisfactorily confirm their registration status as part of the review.”
Schools with stocks of the products have been told not to use them and to store them safely until the supplier picks them up.
Schools affected by the removal of these products will receive funding to obtain new supplies.
The National Organization of Teachers of Ireland said it is not happy with the short notice received to recall the products.
Secretary General John Boyle said: “It is very disturbing that many of the products on the approved list of resources have now been deemed inappropriate.
“That this information has come to light during the interim break is very unsatisfactory. School leaders and boards of directors needed this break to recharge after nine incredibly stressful weeks. “
A government spokesman said: “The department is working with suppliers to ensure that stocks are provided to schools in time to reopen on Monday, November 2 when needed.
“Suppliers are ready to prioritize the school orders they receive.”
Of the 52 products that were removed, there were 14 hand wipes, 17 hand sanitizers, five hand sanitizer refills, eight hand soaps, and seven detergents.
A hotline has been established for schools that are having difficulty obtaining or financing replacement products.
Employment education spokesperson Aodhan O Riordain asked Minister Norma Foley to appear before the Oireachtas education committee to explain the situation.
He said he had raised serious questions about the department’s ability to lead schools through the pandemic.
He said: “It is clear from this latest debacle that there are issues of competence for the Department of Education and whether it is fit for purpose and capable of safely driving schools through the Covid crisis.
“I wrote to the Chair of the Education Committee to ask Minister Foley to attend the committee this week on the situation with the faulty ViraPro disinfectant.
“Given the seriousness of the situation we find ourselves in after the recall of more than 50 products, I would reiterate my call for her to attend an emergency committee meeting as soon as possible.”
He added: “School leaders are rapidly losing faith in the Department and the Minister, and school leaders are now faced with working through the entire Mid-Term and next weekend struggling to try to recall products and secure replacement stock. before Monday morning. “
ends
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