Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 June 2016
82. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the proposals he is reviewing in conjunction with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to carry out the programme for Government commitment to have schools available for child care services outside school hours; if he will permit community groups and private providers to tender for access to these facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18722/16]
View answerIn accordance with key commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government (May 2016) in relation to encouraging the use of school buildings outside school hours which the Government has committed to delivering progress on within the first 100 days, my Department is working closely with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in considering how to facilitate schools who wish to make their facilities available as part of the range of options available to parents where there is demand. In general, school authorities have a considerable degree of autonomy in relation to how their premises are managed and utilised at local level. The use of school facilities must be approved by the school authority. In 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 recognises that the decision ultimately lies with the relevant Board or Trustees and that the first priority at all times should be the interest of the school, its teachers and pupils. In facilitating such extra provision there are a number of complex issues that need to be considered in respect of such arrangements. These issues - including property, governance, insurance and liability - are being considered as part of a review within my Department of the requirements to be established around the use of school premises/property for pre-school and after school services and the preparation of guidelines in relation to same. In that regard, a cross-departmental group is also meeting regularly to assess the following:
- Capacity and demand for services
- Children's views on afterschool care
- An appropriate quality and standards framework
- The development of criteria for the capital scheme to be funded by DCYA under Budget 2016
- Estimated existing use of school buildings
- Collaborative models with existing community/private service providers
- Potential funding incentives for provision of services.
