Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2021
421. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to recommence testing and contact tracing in primary schools; if there are plans to provide schools with air filtrations systems; if antigen tests will be introduced in primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54280/21]
View answerMy Department, the Department of Health and Public Health continue to work closely to support schools to operate safely during Covid-19 has been to follow and implement public health advice. The approach to antigen setting in education settings, including in schools will be informed by public health advice.
The Minister for Health is considering recommendations made in relation to the public health response in the schools setting. These include the recommendation that consideration be given to how recently published European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) guidance “Contact tracing in the European Union: public health management of persons, including healthcare workers, who had contact with COVID-19 cases – fourth update” should be integrated into existing public health response in the schools setting. The Department of Education will continue to engage and assist with any public health-led initiative in the schools sector in this regard.
My Department’s ventilation guidance for schools is very clear and practical on the steps to be taken by all schools to manage ventilation levels. Updated guidance for schools on Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools was provided following the work of an expert group that carefully considered the role of ventilation in managing COVID-19. A copy of the guidance is published on the Gov.ie website. The over-arching approach in the guidance is for schools to have windows open as fully as possible when classrooms are not in use and partially open when classrooms are in use.
The guidance outlines that Carbon Dioxide (CO2) monitors can play a part in providing a useful general indication that areas/rooms may not be adequately ventilated. They can enable occupants to become familiar with the impacts of activities, outdoor weather and window openings on levels of good ventilation. Over 35,000 CO2 monitors at a cost of circa €4million have been distributed to schools across the county. The provision of portable CO2 monitors provides schools with the flexibility to focus their use to those rooms where most beneficial to inform strategies for optimising ventilation in the school.
A dedicated team has been established in the Department to support schools that may have concerns about ventilation and are available to contact schools where required, walking through the steps the schools should take to deploy good ventilation practices etc. Where it is not possible for a school to access the expertise of an engineer or architect, and where necessary, a technical assessment to assist the school can be facilitated through the Department. Schools that identify inadequate ventilation in a room can utilise their minor work grant (for minor improvements) or apply for emergency works grant assistance to address ventilation enhancements on a permanent basis.
Where the above measures have been undertaken, and poor ventilation continues to exist in a particular room/area, air cleaners may be considered as an additional measure in conjunction with other methods of ventilation that are available. There is no one solution that fits all scenarios, each application requires bespoke analysis and selection of the appropriate unit(s) matched to the specific room size and volume. If, following consultation with a supplier a school feels that its individual space may require specific technical specialist advice then the assistance of a Chartered Engineer or Registered Architect can be sought.
