Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2021
443. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if her Department has in the past or will provide funding for preschool accommodation on the grounds of national schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54555/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding provided to schools by my Department is in respect of education provision at primary and post-primary level. Schools may access funding from other government departments and Local Authorities, from their own resources or from other sources in respect of facilities provided by the school for their own use or the use of the wider community.
My Department in consultation with the school authorities, has issued guidelines on the Use of School Buildings Outside of School Hours. This guidance is available at the following link www.gov.ie/en/publication/6c1358-guidelines-on-the-use-of-school-buildings-outside-of-school-hours/. This guidance includes information which school authorities should consider in the event that they receive an application for the use of their school in connection with a pre-school. The decision on how a school is used is a matter for the owner of the school property taking into consideration the needs of the school, staff and students. It is important that arrangements entered into include a condition that it is ceases should the accommodation being used by the pre-school be required for primary education or school provision.
My Department's main interventions in the provision of early years education are the Early Start programme, the Rutland Street Project, and ASD Early Intervention classes.
