Grants of €62m announced for air filters and ventilation works in schools
Education Minister Norma Foley has today announced grants totalling €62m which can be used to purchase HEPA air filters or make ventilation improvements in schools.
Minor works grants of €45 million will be allocated to primary schools "as part of additional support in the context of Covid-19," while post-primary schools are being given €17 million.
On a county-by-county basis, schools in Westmeath are to receive €1.34m, while schools in county Roscommon are being given €1.2m in total.
Minister Foley said that it would be up to individual schools to decide how best to use the funding to address their particular needs.
"This significant increase in funding for schools will enable them to address both their minor works requirements and also to address small-scale ventilation improvements at school level as a short-term mitigation measure, should they require to do so," she said.
"Schools may also apply for emergency works grant assistance to address larger-scale issues on a permanent basis.
"This funding also provides an opportunity for schools to enhance their outdoor learning environments for use as the weather permits."
The Department of Education said works that could be undertaken under the primary minor works scheme included maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds, improvement or replacement of mechanical and electrical services, the purchase of standard furniture and physical education equipment, the purchase of floor coverings and window blinds, and the purchase of IT-related equipment.
Today the Department also issued a guidance document for schools intending to purchase and use HEPA filters (the document can be found here).
The minor works grants set to be paid to primary schools range from €6,610, for a 60-pupil school, to €14,750 for a 500-pupil school.
At post-primary level, the grants will range from €20,000, for a school of up to 500 pupils, to €35,000 for schools with over 1,000 pupils.