Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2023
492. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which, in conjunction with the Minister for Education, efforts are in hand to provide an integrated childcare system under the National Childcare Scheme on site in every primary school around the country; whether any future plans are anticipated in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56262/23]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to increase the range of after-school services in schools or community hubs to offer a range of education and family-focused measures.
First 5, the whole-of-government strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families also recognises the potential for the use of school facilities for early learning childcare.
Data captured through the Annual Early Years Sector Profile reveals that approximately 15% of early learning and childcare services are located on school sites.
The scope for wider use to be made of school buildings is a matter for the Department of Education and the various patrons that govern schools across the country. The Department of Education’s policy is to encourage the use of school facilities, where possible, for community, training and education-related activities, including early learning and childcare.
To assist schools in considering applications for use of their facilities, the Department of Education in consultation with representatives of schools published Guidelines on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours in 2017.
In line with commitments in First 5, in 2023, the Department of Education conducted a survey of a representative sample of schools on the use of school buildings to facilitate early learning and childcare services. The results of this survey were used to review the Guidelines on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours. The revised Guidelines are due to be published by end 2023.
