Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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494.To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of air changes or cleanings or filtrations or purifications per hour in the Dáil and Seanad Chambers; how this compares with other public buildings, for example, schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32465/24]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Office of Public Works that Fresh air is provided to the Dáil Chamber by means of a Mechanical Ventilation System. The system provides fresh air equivalent to 5.3 Air Changes per Hour. The fresh air flowrate per person (assuming occupancy of 132 people) is 31 litres/second /person. The recommend minimum fresh air supply rate for this type of Public Space is 10 litres/second/person (as recommended by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers).

The Seanad Chamber is ventilated by means of a hybrid ventilation system incorporating both Mechanical Ventilation and Natural Ventilation (openable windows). The mechanical ventilation system provides fresh air, equivalent to 2.1 Air Changes per Hour to the space. This equates to a fresh airflow rate per person (assuming occupancy of 66 people) of 4.5 litres/second/person. The additional required fresh air is provided by means of Natural Ventilation. The space has openable windows on three sides.