AQW 12197/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 20/05/2024
Answered On Date: 03/06/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education whether there are any plans to carry out an assessment of ventilation and air quality across the school estate.

Answer:

The Department of Education and Education Authority (EA) work within the guidelines provided by the Department of Health concerning air quality and ventilation in schools and other public buildings. Guidance on ventilation has been issued to all schools, providing advice on how to identify poorly ventilated areas and the measures that should be taken to improve ventilation if required. In line with best practice guidelines, the EA continue to promote and encourage natural ventilation in the first instance to maintain adequate levels of ventilation.

If a school has a specific concern regarding ventilation, they should contact EA to address the matter directly. The Department does not monitor data on ventilation or air quality levels in schools.