Jack Chambers
Ceist:763. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to reopen childcare services which operate in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13160/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 30 June 2020
Ceisteanna (763)
Freagraí scríofa
Guided by public health advice from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services can resume from 29 June. On 10 June 2020, a €75m funding package was announced to facilitate the reopening of ELC and SAC services over the summer months. This substantial investment recognises the important role that the ELC and SAC sector plays in the societal and economic infrastructure of the country.
In relation specifically to the reopening of childcare services that operate on school premises, officials in my Department have been in contact with colleagues in the Department of Education and Skills.
The Department of Education and Skills have advised that the use of school facilities lies with the relevant school authority in consultation with the property owner, and that priority should be given to the interests of the school, teachers and pupils.
The Department of Education and Skills’ policy is to encourage the use of school facilities, where possible, for community, training and education-related activities. It encourages schools to facilitate requests wherever possible but on the basis that it would not impede capacity to cater for any proposed Department of Education and Skills’ summer programmes for students with special needs or from a disadvantaged background. The Department of Education and Skills advises that summer programmes should be given first priority for use of school facilities.
To assist schools in considering applications for use of their facilities, the Department of Education and Skills in consultation with representatives of schools has drafted guidelines on the use of school property outside of school hours which is available here
https://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.
The use of school facilities should be managed at local level between the childcare service provider and the school.