Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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98. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that the wearing of face masks of an FFP2 or higher standard is mandatory in all school settings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4695/22]

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. 

More than €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.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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99. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will initiate the centralised purchasing by her Department of HEPA filters to ensure all primary and post-primary classrooms are equipped with HEPA filters as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4694/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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. 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 November 2021.  

To provide 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, was issued in December 2021. All recognised schools in the free scheme have received their grants.  

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. Specialist advice/assistance of a Chartered Engineer or Registered Architect is an important source of support for schools.  This will help ensure that appropriate solutions are being put in place to address ventilation issues including advice on whether a HEPA Air Cleaner Unit is required to deal with a poorly ventilated room.  There is no one solution that fits all scenarios, each application requires bespoke analysis and selection of the appropriate unit(s) matched to the specific room size and volume. The requirement for air cleaners in schools will depend on advices provided to schools by their Architect/Engineer. As part of contingency planning, the Department has put arrangements in place for a small reserve of air cleaners to facilitate quick deployment to any primary or post-primary school which has an immediate need and has been unsuccessful in sourcing locally.  

Air cleaning devices are not a substitute for good ventilation but can be considered pending the completion of interventions/works where poor ventilation persists. This is line with the Expert Group recommendations. Air filtration does not negate the need for natural ventilation and opening windows as required. Furthermore Mike Ryan of the World Health Organisation’s Health Emergencies Programme has advised that schools not rely solely on air filters.  

In the case where a school has difficulty engaging a Chartered Engineer or Registered  Architect the Department can assist, with a dedicated ventilation team  available to support school principals in this regard.  Schools that identify inadequate ventilation in a room can utilise their minor work grant or apply for emergency works grant assistance to address ventilation enhancements where the minor work grant does not cover the full cost of the works required.