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The Minister for Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science, Simon Harris TD, has today announced the agreement of a supply framework to facilitate the education sector accessing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).  His Department has worked closely with the Department of Education and the Education Procurement Service to establish an education sector supply agreement to support the safe reopening of the sector for staff and students in line with the guidance on re-opening and public health advice.

 Speaking today, Minister Harris said: "The absolute focus of my Department is the safe reopening of our third level sector and we have been engaging with all stakeholders weekly. It will be a different experience for students or staff but we are united in ensuring it is safe and our students have the best experience possible.

 “I have ring-fenced €41m to assist with re-opening costs as part of the €168m Covid funding package of supports which I announced in July. One aspect of our work has been to facilitate the procurement of PPE to help support a safe return to education for further and higher education students and staff.

 “My Department and the Department of Education now have in place a supply agreement and I am pleased to announce that further and higher education providers are now invited to access the framework and procure a supply of PPE through this framework.”

 Communication will issue to all eligible providers and agencies today providing the documentation and detailing the process for this supply arrangement.