Bríd Smith challenged the Department of Education over plans to supply CO2 monitors to schools, calling the proposed numbers alarmingly low and 'appalling'. She said ventilation is key, warned that high-risk teachers are being put at further risk, and demanded clearer guarantees ahead of the August return.
Numbers and distribution
She quoted figures returned to her showing only between 2 and 20 portable CO2 monitors to be distributed to primary schools and between 20 and 35 to post-primary schools in August and September, while noting there are over 3,200 primary schools and over 725 post-primary schools.
Concerns about teacher safety
She described the Department's response as appalling given the uncertain course of the pandemic and emphasised that ventilation is crucial. She recounted the case of a high-risk teacher who was forced back to work by Medmark and is now suffering badly with COVID and long COVID.
Department response and commitments
She reported that the Department replied the minister is committed to providing CO2 monitors and that working groups recommend their use, but she said she had not seen the full reply and questioned the adequacy of the numbers provided.
Implications and demands for action
She urged stronger guarantees and a much broader provision of CO2 monitors before schools reopen, arguing the tiny percentage of equipment proposed will not sufficiently protect staff and pupils.
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Teachta, I asked Norma Foley's department a question, I got the answer back this morning, I was alarmed by the answer. The question was would the Department of Education give some guarantee to schools that they provided with CO2 monitors before they return in August. And wait till I give you the figures now, they're quite startling. A number of portable monitors will be distributed to schools in August and September between 2 and 20 at primary level. We have over 3,200 primary schools and between 20 and 35 at post-primary level. 11, we have over 725 of them. This is an appalling reaction to a situation where we don't know where this pandemic is going. We do not and cannot, maybe should not vaccinate children. And we certainly are putting hundreds of at high risk teachers at further risk. I have a friend who personally was forced back to teach in a secondary school by Medmark. Although she was a high risk teacher, she's now suffering very badly with COVID and long COVID. Can you please explain to me the appalling response of the Department to this very crucial issue? We now know that ventilation is key and we're providing this tiny percentage, I wouldn't even begin to try and do the maths on it, the tiny percentage of ventilators that we're providing. The CO2 monitors are recommended for the schools. The working groups recommend that. The Minister is committed to providing CO2 monitors to schools across the length and breadth of the country. I haven't seen that reply, so I don't know the context in which you're quoting the figures. But sorry, I haven't seen it. I haven't seen it, okay? I've spoken to the Minister about this. CO2 monitors are important and the Minister is committed to providing CO2 monitors to schools. That's it. And 20 to over what 2,000 primary schools? This is a joke. Deputy Cothilberry. Deputy Cothilberry. Deputy Cothilberry. Leader Thomas, Deputy Cothilberry. Deputy Deputy Cothilberry. Deputy Cothilberry. Deputy Cothilberry. ADD, Budgetantal calories. Deputy Cothilberry. Deputy End. Cothilberry. header. Deputy Cothilberry. Deputy Cothilberry. stor Deputy Cothilberry. S wormhole. ping Irving惯. Superanding мин.
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