Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020
495. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether expanded classrooms or additional prefabs will be required to be erected to facilitate appropriate distancing of pupils; and the funding her Department will provide to facilitate same. [18712/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra498. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether additional toilet and running water facilities will be necessary in schools; and if funding will be provided to erect same. [18715/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, yesterday I announced The Roadmap for The Full Return to School, along with funding of over €370 million to support primary and post primary schools as they prepare for reopening.
It is recognised that a school in preparing for full reopening, may require some reconfiguration works to ensure that all available space in the school is availed of, including class space, to safely maximising physical distancing.
The type of adaption works may include, but are not limited to, reconfiguration of classroom space, re-purposing rooms to provide additional space, adapting storage facilities, purchasing furniture, altering desk layouts, adapting toilet areas. As each school setting is different, a ‘one size fits all approach’ is not appropriate, individual schools are best placed to decide on the appropriate re-configuration works for their school.
By providing funding to schools through a Minor Works Grant, schools will have necessary flexibility to implement these kind of reconfiguration measures in their school quickly.
