Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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750. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she expects to meet the necessary school building adaptation requirements as arising from Covid-19 in all schools throughout the country in time for reopening in September 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21045/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, last Monday 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.