John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will clarify the policy in relation to community playgroups perhaps using spare facilities in schools or located elsewhere; if same are gradually being taken over by her Department completely or for children over three; if this has been agreed with the play-groups national body; and if being carried out over a long period, the arrangements for the groups and staff they employ. [19519/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department supports the use of spare school facilities for child care, community play groups and other community purposes. It is a matter for the trustees and board of management to determine how spare facilities should be utilised. While my Department is supportive of such measures the priority for the use of these facilities has to be given to educational services funded by my Department. My Department has a particular role in pre-school provision in the areas of educational disadvantage and special needs. It also works closely with the Office of the Minister for Children in the promotion of quality early education generally. My Department does not have plans to take over community play groups.