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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

CO2 monitors for schools

Summary

Bríd Smith raised alarm at the small number of CO2 monitors being provided to schools and warned ventilation was crucial before reopening. The Taoiseach said monitors were recommended, the Minister had committed to providing them, and he would not accept the Deputy's interpretation of the figures.

I asked the Department of the Minister, Deputy Foley, a question. I received the answer this morning and I was alarmed by it. The question was whether the Department of Education would give some guarantee to schools that they will be provided with CO2 monitors before they return in August. Wait until I give the Taoiseach the figures, which are quite startling. I have been told a number of portable monitors will be distributed to schools in August and September. Between two and 20 will be provided at primary level. We have more than 3,200 primary schools. Between 20 and 35 will be provided at post-primary level. We have more than 725 of these schools. This is an appalling reaction to a situation where we do not know where the pandemic is going. We do not, cannot and perhaps should not vaccinate children. We are certainly putting hundreds of teachers who are at high risk at further risk. A friend of mine was forced back to teach in a secondary school by Medmark although she was at high risk. She is now suffering very badly with long Covid. Will the Taoiseach please explain to me the appalling response of the Department-----

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Thank you, Deputy.

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-----to this crucial issue?

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The time is up Deputy please.

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We now know ventilation is key and we are providing this tiny percentage.

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Please, Deputy.

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I would not even begin to try to do the maths on the tiny percentage of monitors we are providing.

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The CO2 monitors are recommended for schools. The working group has recommended them.

The Minister has committed to providing CO2 monitors to schools across the length and breadth of the country. I have not seen the reply the Deputy referred to, so I do not know the context in which she is quoting the figures.

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They are in the reply to a parliamentary question.

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I have not seen it. I have spoken to the Minister about this. CO2 monitors are important and the Minister is committed to providing them to schools. That is it.

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Between two and 20 monitors going to more than 3,000 primary schools is a joke.

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