Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

73. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to a letter from a union (details supplied) pointing out that the advice of her Department that CO2 concentrations of above 1,400-1,500 parts per million are likely to be indicative of poor ventilation was being publicly challenged by experts in the field and that the union noted that experts maintained that a concentration of 1,000ppm is a more appropriate upper limit for CO2 concentration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13319/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Updated guidance for schools on Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools was provided at the end of May 2021 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.

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.

To date in excess of 42,000 monitors have been dispatched to schools nationwide. Moreover the Department continues to consider requests for additional CO2 monitors. 

The CO2 monitors provided to schools are portable which allows schools to focus their use to those rooms where most beneficial to inform strategies for optimising ventilation in the school.

As noted in the published guidance by the Department in May 2021, “What you need to know about your school’s new carbon dioxide (CO₂) monitors”, The monitor can provide information to occupants to indicate levels of poor ventilation. Both the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers and the Air infiltration and Ventilation Centre advise that 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. 

As you may be aware Deputy, 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.

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.  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.

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.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

76. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the work of her Department to ensure that full use is made of educational facilities outside of school hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13328/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As schools are often the centre of sustainable communities there can be mutual benefits in building links with the local community. It is recognised that schools play an important role in their wider communities and many schools make their facilities available outside of school hours for a variety of different uses and users. The co-operation between schools and local sporting organisations in applying for sports grants is one example of this.

The policy of my Department is to support the use of school premises and facilities for community, recreational, education-related and other relevant purposes where possible.

My Department is engaging with local authorities in respect of county development plans which are currently being put in place. As part of this process my Department is commited to working closely with the local authorities where there are opportunities to develop social and community infrastructure. Where possible, this may lead to the development of schools in conjunction with local sporting and other community facilities.

In 2017 guidance, which was developed in consultation with school authorities, on the use of school buildings outside of school hours was published. A copy of this guidance is available on my Department's website.

The purpose of these guidelines is to provide information for schools in relation to the use of school buildings outside of school hours and for those schools who are considering putting such arrangements in place.

Any decision to make school facilities available lies with the relevant Trustees/ Property owners having regard to the requirements of the school, staff and students.

The guidelines provide information to assist schools in processing applications and putting appropriate arrangements in place to support the use of their facilities. Schools in deciding to make their facilities available have to consider a number of factors, such as indemnity, insurance, drafting of legal licensing agreements, logistical and operational matters.

Where the proposed use is of a commercial nature such as can occur in pre-school or after-school arrangements the school has to further ensure that the process for applications is transparent, has clear criteria set for the assessment of applications and publishes locally and/or via the school’s website that the school will accept applications for the use of their facilities in certain circumstances.

My Department plans to undertake a review of these guidelines in the third quarter of 2022. The purpose of this review is to identify measures which may further encourage schools to make their facilities available for community, recreational and educational uses.

As part of this review process my Department will consult with relevant stakeholders, including representatives of schools and other government Departments which engage with the community and voluntary sectors.

My Department will also undertake a survey of schools as part of this review to obtain information on the current use of school facilities for community, recreational and other uses, their experience in making their facilities available since the guidelines were published and to identify any further measures that would assist schools in making their facilities available.