Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 July 2021
413. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if her Department can guarantee that schools will be provided with a CO2 monitor in each classroom given the need for safe ventilation; if the HEPA filters which are also required will be provided before schools reopen at the end of August 2021; and if her attention has been drawn to the fact that these measures are needed to ensure the safety of students and staff (details supplied). [37501/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has updated its guidance for schools on Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools.
This was done at the end of May and followed on from work done centrally by an Expert Group that was looking at the role of ventilation in managing Covid-19.
A copy of the guidance is published at www.gov.ie/en/publication/ad236-guidance-on-ventilation-in-schools/.
The over-arching approach in the guidance is for schools to have windows open as fully as possible when classrooms are not in use (e.g. during break-times or lunch-times and also at the end of each school day) and partially open when classrooms are in use.
The guidance outlines the role that Carbon Dioxide (CO2) monitors can play a part in providing a useful general indication that areas/rooms may not be adequately ventilated and can enable occupants to become familiar with the impact of activities, outdoor weather and window openings on levels of good ventilation.
In this regard, the Department is procuring a number of portable monitors which will be distributed to schools in August and September – between 2 and 20 at primary level and between 20 and 35 at post-primary level depending on school size.
The updated guidance also references a role for Air Purifiers in certain more limited circumstances where for example a room is not well ventilated and works are awaited to address same. The air purifier can assist in such cases in improving air quality albeit it does not reduce Covid-19.
Managing ventilation is just one of a suite of public health measures in place to keep our schools safe.
