Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 October 2020
113. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to carry out an audit in all primary and post-primary schools here in responses to growing concerns over lack of adequate funding to follow with public health guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32280/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, on 27 July last the Government published the Roadmap for the Full Return to School, along with details of a significant financial package to support the implementation of the measures in the roadmap, following approval by the Government. The package of supports is expected to cost in excess of €375 million in the 2020/2021 school year.
The range of supports made available to schools includes additional financial supports to provide for additional staffing, management supports, enhanced cleaning, hand hygiene and personal protective equipment costs under the Covid-19 response plans. The Government also approved a package of minor works grants as part of the July Stimulus to support schools to prepare their buildings and classrooms for reopening.
As outlined in Circulars 45/2020 and 46/2020 which are published on my Departments website at https://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0045_2020.pdf and https://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0046_2020.pdf, there is a requirement for schools to report on certain grants paid by instalments to assess the level of grant funding utilised that can be taken into account in subsequent grant payments. My Department is making the necessary arrangements to collect this information.
