asked the Minister for Education if he will state, in respect of the various types of schools existing in the State, whether the Government is satisfied with the degree to which such schools are utilised for the public and community at times when no formal education is being undertaken, bearing in mind the requirements of the staffs and the managers or owners.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of School.
8.
The degree to which schools are utilised for public and community purposes will be related to the circumstances of the individual school and the legitimate demands which may be made upon it. I am satisfied that, in general, school authorities recognise the role of the school in the furtherance of community activities and co-operate in the provision of accommodation for various purposes.
Accepting the need for consultation with the interests involved, would the Minister not agree that many schools are in fact closed more often than they are open and that perhaps the time has come to reconsider that situation in the light of the pressing need for facilities for young people and for community interests in our cities particularly?
The whole idea behind the community school movement was that the State investment in community schools involving facilities—some of the facilities were not provided in fact —such as playing facilities, swimming pools, courts, rooms for adult education, for meetings of various cultural bodies and so on—should be utilised fully right across the board. I agree with the Deputy that this is important and in all cases schools will be encouraged to make those facilities available.
Is the Minister prepared to give some inducement or financial encouragement in that respect?
Now the Deputy is talking about money and I am only an intermediary.
May I ask if there are any limitations on making schools available for political meetings and so on and if so, are there any proposals to waive those rules?
That is a separate question.
I should like to know that myself. The question never occurred to me. I do not know; it does not arise out of this question, but if the Deputy puts down a question on the matter I shall be delighted to explore the possibilities.