Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 February 2022
82. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education if she plans to address the funding shortfall that some schools are experiencing between the cost of the air filters required for classrooms and the funding being made available to schools by her Department given that in some situations the value of State funding is considerably less than the cost of the filters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4606/22]
View answerIn December 2021 in order to provide additional support in the context of Covid-19 my Department issued the payment of a minor works grant totalling €45m for primary schools and special schools, plus a once-off Covid-19 minor works funding of €17m for post-primary schools.
Given that each school setting is different, individual schools are best placed to decide how best to use this funding to address their particular needs. Specialist advice or assistance from a Chartered Engineer or Registered Architect is an important source of support for schools. This will help ensure that appropriate solutions are being put in place to address any ventilation issues.
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.
A dedicated team has been established in the Department to support schools that may have concerns about ventilation. Officers are also 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 or apply for emergency works grant assistance to address ventilation enhancements where the minor work grant does not cover the full cost of the works required.
