Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2015
1304. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the requirement of any organisation wishing to provide additional services or classes within a primary school to obtain a licence from the school patron; the cost of securing this licence; to whom the licence fee is paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31587/15]
View answerIn 2005, my Department issued a circular to Trustees, Boards of Management and Principals of Primary and Voluntary Secondary Schools (Circular Letter Prim 16/05) to encourage Trustees and Boards of Management to make their facilities available where possible for community, education and recreation purposes. This circular specifies, inter alia, that where facilities are made available a licence agreement should be put in place.
In general, school authorities have a considerable degree of autonomy in relation to how their premises are managed and utilised at local level and in that regard licence arrangements are a matter for the relevant school authorities. It should also be noted that the vast majority of primary school buildings in the country are in private ownership.
