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Schools Receiving €62m To Improve Classroom Ventilation

Monday, 13 December 2021 10:52

There have been repeated calls for months for increased measures to make schools safer.

Schools are being given €62 million to fund the purchase of HEPA filters and improve ventilation.

The Department of Education says the minor works grant can also be used for things like classroom furniture and IT equipment.

Primary and special schools will get €45 million, while secondary schools will receive €17 million.

Education Minister Norma Foley says schools can decide how they spend the money:

There have been repeated calls for months for the air purification systems to be rolled-out to make schools safer, with the highest incidence of Covid-19 among 5-11 year olds.

Labour's education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin says the funding to allow schools to buy HEPA filters is very late:

While Matt Melvin, principal of St. Etchen's primary school in Kinnegad, says there needs to be better mitigation measures than just opening windows:

Tullamore's Michael Gillespie from the Teachers' Union of Ireland says schools need advice from experts so money isn't wasted:

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