Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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860. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the review on mask wearing in school settings has concluded; when the updated guidance on mask wearing in school settings will be published; and if she has considered the use of FFP2 masks for school staff. [2531/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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More than €158 million of additional capitation funding has been made available to primary and post primary schools to provide for Cleaning, PPE and hand hygiene, Enhanced Supervision and employment of an Aide for the school year 2020/21. My Department has committed to ensuring that the full range of measures necessary to allow schools operate safely in the Covid-19 environment will continue to be available for the 2021/22 school year and has provided a further €109 million to date for Terms 1 and 2 of the 2021/22 school year.  This represents a total of €267 million to date of which €122 million is for PPE and hand hygiene. Schools may use this funding to provide PPE for their staff.  

Schools have been advised of the latest NPHET advice around mask wearing where it is acknowledged that significant protection is afforded by cloth face-coverings but that some people may prefer to wear higher grade medical or respirator masks which offer more protection.  Details of suppliers and codes on the PPE procurement framework for these masks have been provided to schools by the Department should they wish to avail of these masks. Schools have been asked to make medical grade or respirator masks available to staff who would prefer these masks. The HSPC have also been requested by the Department to update their advice on face masks in schools.