Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
803. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if measures will be introduced to encourage primary and post-primary schools to provide preschool and post-school childcare facilities. [21219/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpert guidance on the safe reopening of Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services during the COVID-19 pandemic has been published by the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC). The updated Guidance from the HPSC includes advice on the safe interaction between schools and school-age childcare facilities where children attend both.
In relation to the operation of childcare services 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.
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:
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 early learning and care or school-age childcare service provider and the school.
