Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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611. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if sanitisation equipment for cleaning schools will be supplied by her Department; if schools will have to source it themselves in view of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15330/20]

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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614. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if additional classrooms, equipment and staff will be supplied to schools to accommodate social distancing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15333/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Receipt of public health advice will underpin ongoing engagements with education partners and stakeholders in terms of planning and providing guidance for schools in relation to logistical and curricular arrangements and the issues raised by the Deputy.

My Department recognises that additional funding will be required for schools to support enhanced cleaning to prevent COVID-19 infections. My Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the requirement to provide funding to schools for this purpose.

My Department has also arranged for a drawdown framework to be established to enable schools purchase hand-sanitisers for use in the school and classroom. The procurement process for this framework has already commenced and it is intended these materials will be available in early August.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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612. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if grant funding will be released to pay for additional school cleaning in view of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15331/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I recognise that enhanced cleaning will be required to support schools to prevent COVID-19 infections. My Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the requirement to provide funding to support enhanced cleaning needs and we will provide further details of the support available once the arrangements are finalised.

My Department have also arranged for a drawdown framework to be established to enable schools purchase hand-sanitisers for use in the school and classroom. The procurement process for this framework has already commenced and it is intended these materials will be available in early August. 

This Department will continue to engage closely with education partners and other key stakeholders on the plan for re-opening of schools for the 2020/21 school year with the aim of reducing the burden on schools at a local level by providing central guidance and supports to the greatest extent possible.