Written question WQ84157

During the early stages of the pandemic additional cleaning within schools was prioritised as a covid health and safety measure. £729,368 of funding for additional cleaning materials in schools was provided. The Hardship Fund also made available an additional £61,146,612 covering financial years 2020-21 and 2021-22, which could be utilised towards cleaning staff and personal protective equipment.

£1.885 million was also made available for face coverings for secondary school pupils. Along with this initial funding, an additional £5m was allocated at the end of the last finance year for face coverings and other measures to help keep all school aged learners covid-safe.

Out of £2.58 million made available to the whole education sector for carbon dioxide monitors, £1.6 million has been spent on schools to date. This has provided a carbon dioxide sensor for every classroom for schools in Wales.

£3.31 million has been allocated for ventilation improvements across the education sector of which £2.24 million has been issued to local authorities for schools.

A further £50 million for capital maintenance and improvements has also been allocated to local authorities. This can be used towards health and safety, including ventilation improvements, in accordance with local risk assessment and Covid-19 control framework should they need additional funding over-and-above their ventilation grant allocation.