Written answers

Thursday, 30 July 2020

Department of Education and Skills

Covid-19 Pandemic

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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753. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which it is expected to avail of extra buildings to facilitate primary and second-level schools arising from Covid-19 nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21048/20]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma 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.

Schools must maximise the space within the classroom to facilitate the pupils in the classroom and maximise the space within the existing school building in the first instance.  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.

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