Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

82. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to address issues regarding ventilation in schools in view of Covid-19 related concerns; the number of buildings her Department plans to upgrade with new ventilation systems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40018/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Practical steps for the deployment of good ventilation practices was provided to the school system in August in the context of re-opening for September 2020.

On foot of updated HSPC guidance this guidance has recently been reviewed and was circulated to the education partners for their feedback. The updated guidance has now been published.

In terms of good ventilation practices in schools it is important, particularly as we get further into winter that we achieve an appropriate balance between good ventilation and comfort.

The overall approach for schools should be to have windows open as fully as possible when classrooms are not in use (for example during break-times, lunch-times and at the end of each school day) and partially open when classrooms are in use to achieve appropriate air flow.

It is worth noting that windows do not need to be open as wide in windy/colder weather in order to achieve the same level of airflow into the classroom.

As part of managing comfort levels in classrooms, schools should check that their heating systems are set at the recommended manufacturers guidance levels to maximise the available heat to the school. In addition, heating should operate for extended periods during colder weather to counteract, as best as possible, the impact of windows being open (partially when classrooms in use and fully when not in use) in order to maintain an appropriate balance between ventilation and comfort levels.

My Department has reviewed the HPSC guidance that consideration be given to installing an indoor air quality monitor in classrooms. The purpose of a monitor in this context is to assist in determining when windows should be opened. It should be noted that an air monitor would not increase the air temperature in a classroom. As reflected in the updated guidance, my Department has concluded that windows are likely to be required to be open at a frequency outlined earlier to ensure appropriate levels of ventilation in the classroom irrespective of whether the opening of windows is prompted through the indoor air quality monitor (re-active approach) or through the pro-active approach outlined in the guidance. This has been agreed with the partners in education. While this matter (and supporting data) will be kept under review, my Department does not consider it necessary for schools to install such monitors in classrooms, where the practical steps outlined in the update guidance are applied. However, it is a matter for individual schools to consider whether they wish to use some of their minor works grant funding for this purpose or alternatively schools may wish to use some of their minor works grant funding for provision of permanent background ventilation, where required.