Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I commend Senator Dolan and Deputy Stanton who have been championing the after-hours use of school buildings. In addition, could we give further consideration to the use of higher education facilities, for example, universities or institutes of technologies? The reality is that the usage of our school buildings and associated facilities, outside of school hours, would benefit and empower and enhance all our communities. As a former director of adult education and having been involved with my community association, I understand the importance of community, as the Minister of State does. The State is spending billions of euro in a multiplicity of Departments. I would also include the RAPID programme in addition to the CLÁR programme, which Senator Dolan referred to.

The Minister of State referred to "community value" in his reply to Senator Lombard. It could bring added value to communities. I would love if the State had an inventory of the money we are spending on schemes and, in tandem with that, if we looked at the number of community buildings lying idle such as schools, as in this case and in the summer time. We could enhance and enrich the lives of many young people, in particular, across all communities.

This is an important debate that we need to have. It is a measure that could add value to our communities. Having spoken to many organisations, the issue of insurance is a concern. I know the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, and before him the former Minister, Michael D'Arcy, made changes to insurance. There comes a point when we have to take on the insurance companies, and we cannot use that as the reason not to. There are patrons and bodies in schools, ETBs and so on, that are willing to come on a journey with us in that regard. I hope the response of the Minister of State will be a positive one. I thank Senator Dolan and Deputy Stanton for their work on this to date.