Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2024
269. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education for an update on the review she ordered on the guidance document that relates to how to facilitate the use of the spaces and facilities for the wider community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6095/24]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for the opportunity to give an update on the review of my Department's 'Guidelines on the Use of School Buildings Outside of School Hours', which the Deputy appears to be referring to. My Department supports and encourages the use of school buildings for community and recreational purposes where feasible, and this has remained a core feature of the new Guidelines - or Procedures as they are now called.
My Department first published the Guidelines on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours in October 2017. The purpose of these guidelines was to provide guidance to schools in relation to their current arrangements for the use of school buildings outside of school hours. The Guidelines outline the various scenarios and informs where consent of the Department of Education is required.
Part of the review included a school survey to inform the updating of the existing Guidelines. The survey was issued to patron bodies of a sample of selected primary and post-primary schools for distribution. The survey invited schools to share their views on topics including: whether and how their school facilities are currently used by organisations other than the school, future plans for the use of school buildings and any current barriers encountered regarding the use of school buildings after hours. The responses to the survey were returned, analysed and informed the review. Following the survey, further engagement took place with the stakeholders, patron bodies and other government Departments on the Procedures.
It is expected that the new Procedures will be published very shortly and all schools will be notified of the changes.
