Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
121. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his engagement with the Minister for Education to identify school buildings for after-school childcare services to increase on the current 14% level nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50597/22]
View answer149. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on whether school premises could make a greater contribution to support the development of children in early childhood and outside of school hours; and if he will consider funding some demonstration projects for schools willing to be pioneers in developing a campus of activities to meet community needs. [50641/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 149 together.
First 5, the whole-of-government strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families recognises the potential for the use of school facilities for after-school early learning and care and school-age childcare.
The Department of Education has advised that the use of school facilities lies with the relevant school authority in consultation with the property owner and having regard to the needs of the school, staff and students.
The Department of Education policy is to encourage the use of school facilities, where possible, for community, training and education-related activities, including early learning and care and school-age childcare.
To assist schools in considering applications for use of their facilities, the Department of Education in consultation with representatives of schools has drafted guidelines on the use of school property outside of school hours, which is available here:
www.education.ie/en/Publications/Policy-Reports/guidelines-on-the-use-of-school-buildings-outside-of-school-hours.pdf .
These guidelines are not intended to be exhaustive or prescriptive but are provided to assist schools in considering applications for the use of their facilities.
In line with First 5, the Department of Education plans to conduct a survey of a representative sample of schools on the use of school facilities for early learning and care and school-age childcare services. The results of this survey, which is due to commence in Quarter 1 2023, will be used to inform a review of the Guidelines on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours.
