Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 October 2025
213. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of school buildings in north County Dublin currently being utilised for after-school services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54108/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to expand the provision of after-school and childcare in school buildings and campuses, in tandem with the school building programme, to provide better access for parents and communities.
While the primary role of my department is the provision of primary and post primary school education, my department has a stated policy of encouraging the use of school facilities for a wider community use, where appropriate.
In June 2024 my department published revised “Procedures on the use of School Buildings and School Sports Facilities outside of School Hours” which cater for a wide range of local level arrangements, including early learning and childcare, use by sports club, recreational use, community use and other services on school property where circumstances permit.
In general, my department recognises that the use of school premises for community or after-school purposes is managed at local level and school authorities have a considerable degree of autonomy in relation to how their respective premises are managed and utilised. A school must obtain the permission of their patron and the property owner before permitting the use of the school premises for after school activities.
My department conducts an annual Schools Data Collection survey (SDC) each October which asks schools a range of questions in relation to the day-to-day operation of the schools.
The 2025/2026 school year SDC will reflect the full operation of the new procedures on after school use.
My department will be analysing the returns from school over the course of Q4 2025 and Q1 2026 in relation to responses on specific questions including after-school usage.
