HEPA filters in schools
Gary Gannon asks whether the promised HEPA filter funding is actually just the minor works grant, and warns schools may have to choose between repairs and filtration. The Taoiseach says schools will not have to make that choice, pointing to technical advice, emergency works funding, and CO2 monitors already delivered.
Covid in children is at an all time high. I want to revisit the conversation we had previously with regard to HEPA filters. The Taoiseach mentioned previously that a budget for HEPA filters would be coming on stream in the next couple of weeks. Is that budget the annual minor works grant scheme? If that is the budget to which the Taoiseach refers, are we facing a scenario where schools will be in the invidious situation of having to choose between fixing a broken window or toilet and the installation of a much-needed HEPA filter? Would it not be much better if we had a standalone budget for primary schools that is specifically for HEPA filters? We cannot have a scenario where schools will have to choose between minor works and a mitigation that will, to some degree, make children safer.
Comment on this
To be fair, we have been generous enough in the past two years in terms of both the scale of the minor works grant scheme and the timing of it. It is not a question of schools having to choose between a broken window and a HEPA filter.
Comment on this
Every school is different. There are technical teams available to talk to schools in respect of what will work best for them. There is emergency works funding as well. We have already delivered 35,500 CO2 monitors to 4,000 schools across the country. They are an important aspect following the advice the Minister received. The advice also is that HEPA filters may be appropriate in certain circumstances. As I said earlier, the cost of a HEPA filter is approximately €1,800. Within the range of resources provided to schools that is not beyond some of them.