Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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100. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will conduct a review of ventilation in schools; if more carbon dioxide sensors will be installed in schools to better tackle the possible spread of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16097/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Schools have put in place significant mitigation measures to reduce the risk of coronavirus within the school environment.  Minor works funding of €160m has been put in place to support these measures. 

Practical steps for the deployment of good ventilation practices was provided to the school system in the context of re-opening for September 2020. This guidance was reviewed and updated on 30 November.

In summary, the overall approach for schools should be to have windows open as fully as possible when classrooms are not in use (e.g. during break-times or lunch-times (assuming not in use) and also at the end of each school day) and partially open when classrooms are in use. 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. This will assist in managing comfort levels in classrooms.  Managing comfort levels will be easier for schools now than during the winter period.

In updating the guidance in November, the Department’s Planning and Building Unit reviewed the HPSC guidance that consideration be given to installing an indoor air quality monitor in classrooms.  The updated guidance sets out that in the main windows are likely to be required to be open at a frequency and level 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 Department’s guidance and that therefore it is not considered necessary to install such monitors in classrooms.  However, the updated guidance indicates that 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, as referenced in the guidance.

This guidance is one of a number of prevention and control measures in place to ensure schools are very safe.

An expert group on ventilation has recently been formed to advise the national public health emergency team (NPHET) across a range of settings. The work of this group will help guide whether any further update on the Department’s guidance is required.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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101. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if schools have been advised to operate on the basis of compassion and common sense in the notification of absences to Tusla due to absences from school caused by Covid-19 or other illness requiring multiple tests for Covid-19 in order to rule it out and keep the community safe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16121/21]

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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102. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the guidance or standards that have been issued to schools on the way they are to notify parents that their children's school absences have been notified to Tusla, particularly in the context of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16122/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 102 together.

My Department has provided guidance to schools in relation to the recording and reporting of COVID-10 related absences. COVID-19 related absences arising from pupils/students who have been requested to self-isolate by a medical professional or for pupils/students who feel unwell with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 must be recorded in accordance with the school’s normal procedures for the notification and recording of absences. However these COVID-19 related absences should be noted by the school as explained absences.

In relation to explained absences and in line with the procedures for referrals from schools to the Educational Welfare Service, schools are advised to use their discretion in determining whether a pupil/student’s attendance warrants a referral. A pupil/student’s absence may be satisfactorily explained by certified illness, bereavement or other valid reasons such as those related to COVID-19.

In the event of a referral to Tusla Education Support Services (TESS), TESS will take into account the requirement for pupils/students who feel unwell with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or who have been informed to self-isolate and not to attend school. Tess staff have engage with families to provide to provide advice and assistance for pupils/students as they return to school recognising the challenging context for many children and young people.