Niall Collins
Question:172. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if a decision on an application by a school (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26820/24]
View answerTuesday, 25 June 2024
Questions (172)
Written answers
I wish to confirm that my Department received an application from the school authority in question for the use of their school in connection with a pre-school service.
As the Deputy may be aware schools themselves are free to decide if they wish to make their facilities available for the running of early learning and care and/or school-age childcare services, and my Department understands that some schools do so. Any decision to make school facilities available lies with the relevant Trustees/ Property owners having regard to the requirements of the school, staff and students.
In 2017 guidelines, which were developed in consultation with school authorities, on the use of school buildings outside of school hours were published (Guidelines on the use of School buildings outside of School Hours) and a copy of these Guidelines is available on my Department's website. These Guidelines include 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. Where that proposed use may take place within school hours consideration has to be given to the impact on the capacity of the school to meet its requirements, including special education provision.
The priority use for school accommodation is, necessarily, the provision of mainstream primary and post primary school places, as well as provision for children with special educational needs. Therefore, where a school is letting of part of its property as an early learning and care setting during school hours, they must first have the prior approval of the Minister. In addition, where schools enter an agreement for the use of their facilities it should include a condition that the agreement may be terminated should the facility be required for education provision.
The Board of Management is responsible for the direct governance of a school and for the use of school resources and facilities subject to the approval of the Trustee/Patron. The onus is on the Board of Management and the Patron to ensure that there is sufficient accommodation to meet the school’s long-term projected enrolment and any development which may arise in the area. In that regard, where additional accommodation is required at the school in the future, any accommodation used for purposes other than primary school provision must revert to mainstream use as soon as the need arises. The use of classrooms for teaching and learning is the priority for the school.
Officials from my Department have been in contact with the school in question and the school have been notified of the decision.