My Department has no objection in principle to the use of a schools recreational facilities for community use. To encourage schools in this respect, my Department issued a circular to all school authorities in late 2005 urging trustees and Boards of Management to make their facilities available where possible for community education and recreation purposes. Decisions in relation to the use of these school facilities generally remain at the discretion of the school authorities, subject to the condition that the needs of the students attending the school are prioritised in the first instance.
In the case of the school referred to by the Deputy, I can confirm that my Department contributed towards the capital cost of the sports hall in question . I understand that the provision of the facility cost in the region of almost €1 million, with the balance of the funding being provided by the schools Trustees and through local fundraising.
It is also understood that the school has been considering the arrangements, which have not been finalized or agreed as yet, to be put in place in respect of the management of the facility and a proposal in this regard is expected to be submitted to my Department for consideration shortly.
