Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 31 January 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills

Briefing on Current and Future Plans for the School Building Unit: Department of Education

Mr. Hubert Loftus:

Just as a general point, the figure on the CO2 monitors was 42,000 or thereabouts. As part of supporting schools during Covid-19 and keeping them operational, we provided top-up minor works grant funding to schools and that gave them discretion. It was not just about HEPA air filters but about working through solutions locally to find what works best for each school in terms of supporting them and helping them to operate in the Covid environment. That can be as simple and straightforward as making sure vents are working in classrooms or installing trickle vents in windows, for example. Mr. Dolan is our technical manager in this area. It is important to note that while HEPA filters have a role, ultimately, fresh air and diluting the air quality in the room is really the way forward. Whether there is a HEPA air filter or not, the real issue is making sure fresh air is coming into the school and into the classroom.

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