Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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322. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is accommodating requests form schools for additional CO2 monitors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60186/21]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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323. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of additional CO2 moniors that have been distributed to schools since 1 October 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60187/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 323 together.

Managing ventilation is just one of a suite of public health measures in place to keep our schools safe. Updated guidance for schools on Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools was provided at the end of May following the work of an expert group that carefully considered the role of ventilation in managing COVID-19. A copy of the guidance is published on the Gov.ie website.

The Expert Group in its report notes “very good advice is contained in the Department of Education’s Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools” And that “It must be emphasized that ventilation should be delivered as part of a layered strategy of protective measures to control the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.”

The over-arching approach in the guidance is for schools to have windows open as fully as possible when classrooms are not in use and partially open when classrooms are in use. The Expert Group also note “consider using a portable carbon dioxide (CO2) monitor to identify areas of the school with inadequate ventilation. The Departments guidance outlines CO2 monitors can play a part in providing a useful general indication that areas/rooms may not be adequately ventilated. They can enable occupants to become familiar with the impacts of activities, outdoor weather and window openings on levels of good ventilation. The provision of portable CO2 monitors provides schools with the flexibility to focus their use to those rooms where most beneficial to inform strategies for optimising ventilation in the school.

In excess of 35,400 monitors were delivered to schools nationwide, in the initial distribution phase.

Requests from schools for additional CO2 monitors are considered without delay. Approved additional CO2 monitors have been dispatched or are in the process of being dispatched by Lennox Laboratories.