Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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779. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration has been given to using alternative technologies to HEPA filters in schools (details supplied) given that some of these technologies have been used successfully in the NHS since 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1240/22]

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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782. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to HEPA filters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1258/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 779 and 782 together.

My Department announced in December additional support in the context of Covid-19 the payment of a minor works grant totalling €45m for primary schools and special schools, plus a once-off Covid-19 minor works funding of €17m for post-primary schools.

Managing ventilation is one of a suite of public health measures in place to keep our schools safe.

The Expert Group note in its own report that very good advice is contained in the Department of Education’s Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools.

They also note that it must be emphasised 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. Along with these preventative actions, ventilation further reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission in schools.

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 Departments Guidance is clear that where the recommended measures in the Practical Steps and poor ventilation continues to exist in a particular room/area, air cleaners may be considered as an additional measure in conjunction with other methods of ventilation that are available. This is line with Expert Group guidance which identifies that in areas with poor ventilation that structural interventions and measures to increase natural ventilation should be completed. Where such structural interventions or measures are not possible in the short term, that consideration should be given to using stand-alone HEPA filter devices in poorly ventilated spaces pending the completion of structural interventions.

The updated guidance for schools is also fully in line with the most recent guidance on non-healthcare building ventilation during COVID-19, published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre on 18^thNovember 2021.

There is no one solution that fits all scenarios, each school requires bespoke analysis and an appropriate ventilation solution matched to the specific room size and volume. Given that each school setting is different, individual schools are best placed to decide how best to use this funding to address their particular needs in line with the Department’s Guidance. In this context the requirements for each school will be determined locally by schools, who may get specific advice/assistance of a Chartered Engineer or Registered Architect on the appropriate measures they should take for enhancing ventilation. Engagement with the market for meeting their needs will be managed directly by schools at local level.

In conclusion the Departments approach on good ventilation in schools, as part of a layered strategy of protective measures to control the spread of the virus, is fully consistent with the Expert Group recommendations on good practices, the use of portable CO₂monitors and the targeted deployment of HEPA air filter devices where necessary for poorly ventilated areas.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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780. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if contact tracing in primary schools will be reintroduced as an additional measure given the recent surge in Covid-19 cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1253/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has always been guided by public health advice in relation to appropriate Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures in place in schools. Public Health has fully reviewed the infection prevention and control measures in effect in schools throughout the pandemic and again over the Christmas period.  Public Health has confirmed that there is no change to these infection prevention and control measures to support the safe operation of schools.  Policy in relation to contact tracing is within the remit of the Department of Health.

Public Health continues to advise that the two most important actions to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19 (and other respiratory viruses), are:

- ensuring no-one with new onset symptoms attends school, and; 

- that all recommended infection prevention and control measures are in place in line with school COVID-19 response plans.  

These measures protect students, their parents and school staff and are very effective. Public Health remains of the view that these mitigation measures are effective and appropriate. 

Contact tracing remains in place for primary school age children who are household close contacts. Any child who is identified by the HSE as a household close contact however, has to restrict their movements and not attend school.   

In addition from the end of November 2021 antigen testing has been introduced in primary schools in circumstances where children are part of a classroom pod, where there is a confirmed case of COVID-19. Offering antigen tests to children who are identified as part of a pod in which there was a confirmed case of COVID-19, is an additional measure to support parents and schools. Where there are two cases in a class in more than one pod within a seven days period, antigen testing will be provided to every child in the class. Approximately 190,000 antigen test kits have been distributed to date.

Contact tracing continues in respect of children in special education settings, and in respect of children in post-primary education. The HSE Principals’ line and the Department’s Covid-19 helpline operates seven days a week and remains a source of support for principals.