Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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497. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding targeted funding to support schools to provide HEPA filters in areas that are prone to wildfires that lead to poor air quality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48188/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In relation to ventilation standards in schools, the Planning and Building Unit (PBU) of the Department of Education and Youth publish technical design guidance on requirements for indoor air quality and ventilation in new school buildings. This guidance is included in a number of documents available on gov.ie.

International research suggests that high efficiency particulate air (HEPA filters) that are appropriately maintained and operated by trained personnel, do have the potential to assist in improving indoor air quality when the outside air quality is impacted by forest and wildfires.

Under the Minor Works Grant scheme, funding is made available to all primary schools who have the autonomy to use this funding for maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds. The works that can be undertaken under the Minor Works Grant Scheme include maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds, improvement or replacement of mechanical and electrical services, the purchase of standard furniture and educational equipment, the purchase of floor coverings and window blinds, the purchase of IT related equipment, ventilation improvements, and enhancements to outdoor learning environments. Given that each school setting is different, individual schools are best placed to decide how best to use this funding to address their needs.

The Department also provides funding to all recognised schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs including heating, lighting etc. and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. These grants may be regarded as a common grant, from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities within the guidelines of DPENDR Circular 13/14

The Department does however advise that caution is required by schools in what could become an over reliance of Hepa filters during poor air quality resulting from wildfires. While they can be of assistance in classrooms where external infiltration of outside air can be adequately prevented, individual risk assessments are required on a school-by-school basis to assess suitability within their own built environment. They need to be aware that the smoke can leak into a building through small openings and cracks enter through open doors and windows, wall vents and through the heat recovery mechanical ventilation system (if installed).

During a wildfire, it is essential that schools follow the advice from local authority and fire services to be aware of advisories being given and be prepared to evacuate if the situation deteriorates. This includes staying informed of the local air quality through local news and air quality monitoring sites. Due to gradual accumulation indoors, as opposed to the wide dispersion outdoors, indoor air quality can potentially get worse than even the outdoor air quality during wildfires.