Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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802. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is satisfied that classrooms are sufficiently warm for children and staff with respiratory conditions given the low temperatures recorded due to the open windows policy and that such low temperatures can exacerbate lung conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1573/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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.

In the current climate and unique circumstances presented by COVID 19 it is important that schools find a balance between comfort levels and ventilation.

The Department’s guidance on ventilation aims to assist schools achieve this balance. The following points are noted in guidance:

- The guidance provide to all schools advised that “the over-arching 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 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 during periods of colder weather.

- Similarly ensuring that at the end of the school day each evening, the windows in each room are opened (as wide as is practical and safe, while also considering security issues) for at least 15 minutes to ventilate the room fully will ensure that the classrooms are ventilated from the night before and this does not need to be repeated prior to class in the morning. During this first class of the school day windows should, weather conditions permitting, be partially opened (as per guidance in this document) to keep the room fresh and prevent stuffiness and condensation etc. This is in addition to and complements the end-of-day ventilation described above.

- Achieving fresh air by having a number of windows partially opened as required rather than one window fully open can help to maximise the use of window driven natural ventilation distribution across the room without causing discomfort. In colder weather any local chilling effect can be offset by partially opening the windows nearest to and above the radiators.

- As part of managing comfort levels in classrooms, schools should check that their boilers operation temperatures 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 are in use and fully when not in use) in order to maintain an appropriate balance between ventilation and comfort levels”

Schools can use their CO2 monitors to determine the quality of ventilation in their classrooms noting CO2 concentrations above 1400 – 1500 ppm are likely to be indicative of poor ventilation and therefore require ventilation to be increased by opening windows, doors etc. Correspondingly where monitors indicate good levels of ventilation there is no need to for additional ventilation.

Where a school cannot maintain good ventilation it is essential they contact their local engineer/ architect in order to determine how ventilation can be improved. If the school has difficulty sourcing a professional the Department can provide assistance.