The Government is to provide up to €72 million in funding that can be used by schools and childcare services to improve ventilation as part of efforts to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Minister for Education Norma Foley announced €62 million in minor works grants as part of additional pandemic-related supports.

Schools will have flexibility on how they use the funding to improve their premises including the purchase of high-efficiency particulate-absorbing filter (Hepa) machines if they are deemed necessary.

Hospital Report

Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman separately announced €10 million in funding to improve ventilation in creches.

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The Government has been criticised by the Opposition on the issue of ventilation in schools. Experts have regularly said the matter has been largely overlooked in the State’s pandemic response.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald last week told the Dáil that there are children and staff who have been “freezing in classrooms” where windows are open “in an attempt to keep them safe” from catching Covid-19.

She said the rate of infection among school-aged children had “shot up” and that “it’s been clear for some time that Hepa filters have an important role to play in ensuring schools have clean air”.

Air-filtration systems

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said funding would be made available for schools that want Hepa filters in “given situations”.

Of the funding announced by Ms Foley, some €45 million is for primary schools and special schools, with €17 million for second level.

Schools can use the funds for air-filtration systems but they can also be used for maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds and the purchase of furniture or computers.

“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,” Ms Foley said.

The department issued updated guidance for schools on good ventilation practice in May and it has also offered technical guidance on Hepa filters for schools that believe having them is necessary.

Hepa filters will also be eligible for purchase under the supports announced by Mr O’Gorman. He said higher education institutions would facilitate the temporary release of students to work in childcare services amid pressures on staffing levels due to Covid-19-related absences. His department has introduced an accelerated process for assessing students’ eligibility to work in the sector.

Omicron variant

A further 4,667 cases of Covid-19 were reported in the State on Sunday, including four of the new Omicron variant of concern bringing the total to 10. The Department of Health said it was notified of 4,004 Covid-19 cases on Saturday.

There were 504 patients in hospital with Covid-19 on Sunday morning, including 109 in intensive care.

Separately, the UK’s Health Security Agency said a further five Omicron cases had been detected in Northern Ireland, bringing the total there to 10.

Stormont Minister for Health Robin Swann responded by announcing the immediate introduction of walk-in vaccination centres which will provide booster vaccine shots to anyone aged 30 who had their second vaccine dose at least three months ago.

“Given the scale of the potential threat posed by the Omicron variant, we are taking additional emergency measures to get as many booster doses as possible administered before the end of this month,” he said.

Northern Ireland’s Department of Health on Sunday announced three further deaths from Covid-19 and an additional 1,548 cases. There were 326 Covid-19 patients in hospitals, including 30 people in intensive care.

The North’s Covid-19 certification system will become legally enforceable in the hospitality sector, including for licensed premises and large events, from Monday. Customers will need to show proof of vaccination, a negative lateral flow test result or proof of previous infection for entry. – Additional reporting PA