Cathal Crowe
Question:784. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will arrange for her Department to procure and distribute PPE to schools across the country. [1280/22]
View answerWednesday, 19 January 2022
Questions (784)
Written answers
In 2020 The Government’s Roadmap for the Full Return to School set out a range of products required to facilitate the reopening of schools, including PPE. A procurement process was undertaken by the Sector, and a number of suppliers capable of providing the full range of PPE products necessary for the reopening of schools were identified.
Following the successful conclusion of the procurement process in August 2020, the Department established a multi-supplier agreement from which schools can choose suppliers and products which best meet their own needs. All PPE products required to support the operation of schools are available under this framework and schools are encouraged to purchase their PPE through this centralised process to the greatest extent possible to obtain value for money. Suppliers on the framework deliver directly to the schools. Whilst individual schools are best placed to identify their PPE needs based on their Covid-19 Response Plan, the Department has issued guidance and an information pack setting out the steps to follow when ordering PPE under the Supply Agreement.
Significant additional resources of €639m were put into schools in the last academic year. Further funding of €108.5million has been paid by way of Covid-19 capitation to schools in 2021/22 to date for the implementation of infection prevention and control measures for this term. This funding will cater for school costs related to hand hygiene measures, PPE requirements, enhanced cleaning supports and supervision.