Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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325. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if forthcoming updated guidelines on the use of school buildings will take into consideration the difficulty parents face in accessing childcare by encouraging schools to facilitate sibling hour and after-school providers, through access to school space after school hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19251/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department supports and encourages the use of school buildings for community and recreational purposes, where feasible, including childcare and after school uses. However, the decision on the use of school property is a matter for the property owner taking into considerations the requirements of the school, students and staff. Also it is important that any proposed arrangement does not impede upon the future development of the school, given that the priority for schools is educational provision for its pupils.

The current Guidelines for the Use of School Buildings outside of School Hours published in October 2017 are available for each school to refer to for guidance in relation to the use of school buildings outside of school hours, including any planned after school and childcare arrangements. 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 updated Guidelines (or Procedures as they now called) are in the process of being updated and are expected to be published very shortly. These new Procedures will cover the topic of childcare but in the meantime the current Guidelines should continue to be referred to.

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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326. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if schools can be encouraged to facilitate after-school care for junior classes who finish earlier than senior classes by allowing use of classrooms for that hour by childcare services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19252/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department supports and encourages the use of school buildings for community and recreational purposes, where feasible, including childcare and after school uses. However, the decision on the use of school property is a matter for the property owner taking into consideration the requirements of the school, students and staff. Also it is important that any proposed arrangement does not impede upon the future development of the school, given that the priority for schools is educational provision for its pupils.

My Department has published Guidelines for the Use of School Buildings outside of School Hours. These Guidelines are available for each school to refer to for guidance in relation to the use of school buildings outside of school hours, including any planned after school and childcare arrangements. 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 Guidelines (or Procedures as they are now called) are in the process of being updated and these Procedures are expected to be published very shortly.