Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 May 2024
153. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education when the updated guidelines/procedures on the use of school buildings outside of school hours will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19704/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department supports and encourages the use of school buildings for community and recreational purposes where feasible.
My Department first published the Guidelines on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours in October 2017. The purpose of these guidelines was to provide guidance to schools in relation to their current arrangements for the use of school buildings outside of school hours. The Guidelines outlined the various scenarios and informed where consent of the Department of Education was required.
The process of reviewing the 2017 Guidelines for the Use of School Buildings outside of School Hours is now nearly complete.
Part of the review included a school survey. The survey was issued to patron bodies of a sample of selected primary and post-primary schools for distribution. The survey invited schools to share their views on topics including: whether and how their school facilities are currently used by organisations other than the school, future plans for the use of school buildings and any current barriers encountered regarding the use of school buildings after hours. The responses to the survey were returned and analysed and informed the review. Following the survey, further engagement took place with the stakeholders, patron bodies and other government Departments on the new Procedures (as the Guidelines are now called).
It is expected that the Procedures will be published very shortly and all schools will be notified of the changes.
