The first flight carrying much-needed personal protective equipment for workers on the front-line of the COVID-19 response is due to arrive in from China on Sunday.

The Chinese Embassy in Ireland said the Aer Lingus plane will leave Dublin on Saturday morning.

It will arrive in Beijing early on Sunday and return to Ireland by Sunday evening.

First @AerLingus cargo flight for PPE scheduled to leave Dublin on Sat morning, arrive in Beijing early Sun, land at Dublin airport late Sunday.

Sail safe! We have got your back.🇮🇪🇨🇳

@HSELive @paulreiddublin @dfatirl @MartinDShanahan pic.twitter.com/si0xNMrUJE

— Chinese Embassy in Ireland (@ChinaEmbIreland) March 27, 2020

It comes amid growing concern about the lack of PPE equipment for healthcare workers around the country.

Earlier this week, the Health Minister Simon Harris said the country would buy in 13 years’ worth of protective equipment this year as we battle the COVID-19 outbreak.

He said the State will spend around €225m on the equipment this year, compared to a normal outlay of around €15m.

The equipment is expected to arrive in on up to 60 flights from China after the Government struck a deal with Chinese authorities.

The equipment will include respiratory masks, face guards, goggles and gowns.