Written answers

Tuesday, 22 April 2008

Department of Education and Science

Sport and Recreational Development

9:00 pm

Photo of Mary UptonMary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 324: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress made towards removing the obstacles with regard to insurance which currently prevents the majority of school halls being utilised for sports and community uses when not required by the school; her views on whether this could bring much needed revenues to schools in addition to providing community facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15152/08]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The primary responsibility of my Department in this area is the provision of school facilities for the effective delivery of the curriculum. In addition, school authorities have a considerable degree of autonomy in relation to how their premises are managed and utilised at local level. However, I do recognise that there is a lack of recreational facilities for community use in certain areas which could be met if school premises were made available to the wider community. To encourage schools in this respect, my Department issued a circular to all school authorities in late 2005 urging trustees and Boards of Management to make their facilities available where possible for community education and recreation purposes. Decisions in relation to the use of school facilities remain entirely at the discretion of the school authorities, subject to the condition that the needs of the students attending the school are prioritised in the first instance.

My Department has also progressed a number of school building projects within the Fingal and Adamstown areas of Dublin with local Authority/Developers to produce an integrated solution to education and community facilities that matches the delivery of new housing. I believe this model can be used to advantage across the country in future particularly in the area of shared community facilities. My Department's position generally is that the availability of such facilities should be self-funding i.e. adequate to cover the heat/light/caretaking arrangements as well as making some contribution to the repair of wear and tear on premises caused by increased use. Of utmost importance, schools should ensure that insurance and security are covered as it is unlikely that a school's insurance policy would cover non-school activities or that a caretaker would be routinely available to open/lock up premises.

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