Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 March 2022
76. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the work of her Department to ensure that full use is made of educational facilities outside of school hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13328/22]
View answerAs schools are often the centre of sustainable communities there can be mutual benefits in building links with the local community. It is recognised that schools play an important role in their wider communities and many schools make their facilities available outside of school hours for a variety of different uses and users. The co-operation between schools and local sporting organisations in applying for sports grants is one example of this.
The policy of my Department is to support the use of school premises and facilities for community, recreational, education-related and other relevant purposes where possible.
My Department is engaging with local authorities in respect of county development plans which are currently being put in place. As part of this process my Department is commited to working closely with the local authorities where there are opportunities to develop social and community infrastructure. Where possible, this may lead to the development of schools in conjunction with local sporting and other community facilities.
In 2017 guidance, which was developed in consultation with school authorities, on the use of school buildings outside of school hours was published. A copy of this guidance is available on my Department's website.
The purpose of these guidelines is to provide information for schools in relation to the use of school buildings outside of school hours and for those schools who are considering putting such arrangements in place.
Any decision to make school facilities available lies with the relevant Trustees/ Property owners having regard to the requirements of the school, staff and students.
The guidelines provide information to assist schools in processing applications and putting appropriate arrangements in place to support the use of their facilities. Schools in deciding to make their facilities available have to consider a number of factors, such as indemnity, insurance, drafting of legal licensing agreements, logistical and operational matters.
Where the proposed use is of a commercial nature such as can occur in pre-school or after-school arrangements the school has to further ensure that the process for applications is transparent, has clear criteria set for the assessment of applications and publishes locally and/or via the school’s website that the school will accept applications for the use of their facilities in certain circumstances.
My Department plans to undertake a review of these guidelines in the third quarter of 2022. The purpose of this review is to identify measures which may further encourage schools to make their facilities available for community, recreational and educational uses.
As part of this review process my Department will consult with relevant stakeholders, including representatives of schools and other government Departments which engage with the community and voluntary sectors.
My Department will also undertake a survey of schools as part of this review to obtain information on the current use of school facilities for community, recreational and other uses, their experience in making their facilities available since the guidelines were published and to identify any further measures that would assist schools in making their facilities available.
