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The Department of Education has written to schools recalling more than 50 sanitizing products, including hand sanitizers, wipes, detergents, and hand soaps.
It has warned schools about “other safety concerns related to the items, which were previously recommended for use in departmental procurement documents.”
The recall comes after problems with product registration were found during a review.
The department has ordered “its withdrawal and total replacement before Monday morning.”
The item list contains more than 50 products supplied to schools by nine different companies.
These include Critical Healthcare, Workwear Experts, Reach Group, Charles Hughes Ltd, Shaw Scientific, JBS Group, Aquila Bioscience, Nugent Safety, and Lennox.
Last weekend, the department said it was reviewing all biocide or disinfectant products that it had recommended for use in schools.
This followed the recall of all products supplied by a company called ViraPro.
In a statement, he said: “The department is removing 43 biocides and 9 other products from the approved list for schools because it has not been possible to satisfactorily confirm their registration status as part of the review.
“These products will not be included on our approved list for schools until their registration status has been confirmed.
“The department has no evidence that these products are unsafe.”
The Minister of Education has said that there is nothing to indicate that the disinfection products recalled by the department tonight are not safe.
Speaking about RTÉ’s Drivetime, Norma Foley said the problem was a “technical license issue.”
The minister said there had been confusion or inconsistency and “perhaps a lack of clarity” as to what exactly the suppliers had been asked for.
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He said that many had believed they needed a certification or repeal from the EU or Ireland.
Ms Foley said the regulator had made it clear that an Irish certification number was required.
Read a full list of recalled products
The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine Affairs, which is the regulator for biocides, and the Educational Procurement Service are dealing with suppliers of the products regarding their registration status.
The Department of Education said “it may be possible to bring these products back into the deal at a later date.”
He added: “When schools are in stock of the products listed as ‘disposed of’ … whether they were purchased through the deal or purchased locally, they should not use them and should store them safely until picked up by the supplier. .
“Schools affected by the elimination of these products will receive funds to obtain new supplies.
“The Department of Education has sent schools an updated list of all products in the agreement, effective today, with all relevant associated prices.
“The vendors and products of the agreement will be monitored on an ongoing basis and any additional changes to the list will be notified to the schools.
“The Education Procurement Service has engaged with vendors on the deal in the past few days and there is enough stock available for schools to order.
“Schools looking for a new product to replace stock should contact any of the vendors in the agreement directly to process orders.
“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.”
He said that an assistant would be available to schools for two days to help with any issues and that they should contact the Schools Covid-19 helpline (057 9324461) or send an email to [email protected] if they have problems obtaining an alternative supply or funds.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine Affairs has said that “only products listed on the Department’s Biocidal Products Register may be marketed in Ireland.”
He said they should have a PCS or IE-BPA or EU number clearly visible on the label.
He added: “Biocide suppliers are required by law to ensure that their products are safe and effective.
“Now it has become clear that there are some products on the market that are not properly registered.
“When problems arise in connection with the registry, the Department is taking appropriate measures, on a precautionary basis.”
He added that “there is no reason to believe that the lack of registration of a product in itself raises specific concerns regarding safety or efficacy.”
INTO 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 was released during the midterm break is very unsatisfactory. School leaders and boards needed this break to recharge after an incredibly stressful nine weeks.”
TUI General Secretary Michael Gillespie said: “While we acknowledge and regret the disruption this will cause, TUI believes that recalling the products is the necessary and correct decision.
“TUI requested a full standards audit of all products that have been purchased and we are pleased that the Department acted on that call.”
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