Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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646. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the amount which will be required in additional funding for schools to cover issues related to Covid-19 hygiene by category of expenditure, item and sector; and the basis of the €25 million quoted in media accounts from Departmental sources. [15648/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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In re-opening our schools, my Department will be guided by the available public health advice and comprehensive engagement with stakeholders including the school management bodies and staff representatives as well as students and parents. I have published the interim public health advice received from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre and also made it available to schools across the country.

The receipt of this advice has allowed my Department to commence an intense period of engagement with school management and staff representatives which in turn has allowed it to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

The focus, since the public health advice was received, has been on working through with the stakeholders how we re-open our schools safely. I know there will be costs associated with re-opening and not just in terms of hand sanitisation or cleaning regimes. My Department is currently defining what is needed and preparing cost estimates for these elements. Engagement with colleagues in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is underway in regard to the financial support that will be necessary.

I can assure the Deputy that there is full engagement with the education stakeholders and that everyone is committed to concluding the scoping and planning phases by the end of this month so that schools have sufficient time to prepare at a local level for their re-opening. There will also be comprehensive communication with students and parents so that they are fully informed.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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647. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be provided for additional full-time cleaning staff in schools that currently have none; and the typical cost to schools for a full-time cleaner. [15649/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Boards of Management of schools are responsible for the employment of ancillary staff.  Funding to cater for these services is made available from my Department through the Ancillary Services and Capitation Grants. It is a matter for the Board of Management of the school to decide how best to apply the grant funding to suit its particular needs.

My Department recognises that enhanced cleaning will be required to support schools to prevent COVID-19 infections and is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the requirement to provide funding to support these enhanced cleaning needs and we will provide further details of the support available once the arrangements are finalised.

My 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

The terms and conditions of employment of cleaners in Primary and Voluntary Secondary schools is a matter for the Board of Management of each individual school, therefore, my Department does not hold information in relation to the typical cost of a full-time cleaner.