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The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney TD, along with the HSE and a number of Government Departments and state agencies have continued to work to offer assistance to India in response to the worsening COVID-19 outbreak there.

An emergency donation of 700 oxygen concentrators departed Ireland for India this morning. A further donation of more life-saving equipment including at least one oxygen generator and 365 ventilators has been agreed and transport arrangements are being made. As with the donation of oxygen concentrators, the donation is being made from stocks originally purchased by the HSE as part of pandemic preparations.

The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (part of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage) is coordinating Ireland’s aid effort, through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, working with the Department of Health, the HSE, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Irish Aid, the Department of Transport, the Revenue Commissioners and others.

This support is part of the coordinated effort by EU Member States currently underway to provide a collaborative response following India’s request for assistance.

Minister Donnelly said: “The oxygen concentrators already donated by Ireland are scheduled to arrive in India tonight. I am happy that Ireland is in a position to make this further donation of equipment to our friends in India in this instance, supporting the provision of care to those most severely ill with COVID-19.”

Minister O’Brien said: “Once again, the HSE and the Irish people are showing solidarity with India at this time. I would like to thank all the state agencies involved who are working intensively to make this donation a reality in a very short space of time. 

Minister Coveney said: “Ireland is playing its part in the EU’s Team Europe response to the record surge of COVID-19 cases in India. By coordinating our efforts and pooling our resources, we are maximising our collective impact. This life-saving support will provide much-needed relief to those affected and will support Indian hospitals and Indian healthcare workers on the front line of the pandemic.”