Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021
372. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the total number of schools that identified a further requirement for CO2 monitors and submitted a request through the dedicated helpline and email account (details supplied); the number of schools that received additional CO2 monitors; and the total number of reserve CO2 monitors that have been distributed to schools via this method in tabular form. [59101/21]
View answerThe Department’s ventilation guidance for schools is very clear and practical on the steps to be taken by all schools to manage ventilation levels.
Managing ventilation is just one of a suite of public health measures in place to keep our schools safe. Updated guidance for schools on Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools was provided at the end of May 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. 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
I can advise the Deputy that as of 29/11/2021 a total of 212 schools have applied for additional monitors. Of these 179 schools have been approved for 1136 additional monitors. These have been dispatched or are in the process of being dispatched by Lennox Laboratories.
A further 31 applications have been approved for an additional 196 monitors. These schools are being notified of their approval for additional monitors. A request for dispatch of these monitors will be sent to Lennox shortly. There are 2 applications which are currently under assessment by my Department.
