Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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364. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will oblige teachers to use FFP2 face masks in the interest of health and safety; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2943/22]

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. These measures protect students/pupils, their parents and school staff and are very effective when adhered to.

€122 million of capitation funding has been made available to primary and post primary schools to cater for PPE/Hand Sanitiser requirements in the school years 2020/21 and 2021/22 to-date.

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. The HSPC have also been requested by the Department to update their advice on face masks in schools.