Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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31. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is aware of an integrated preschool unit at a school (details supplied) and the possibility of expanding services of this nature to other communities; if she had any meetings with the Minister for Education and Skills in respect of these matters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14657/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I am aware of an integrated pre-school unit at the facility in question. I have liaised with the Department of Education and Skills (DES) regarding this facility and I am open to meeting with the Minister to discuss this matter further.

Under Circular 16/05 issued to primary schools in 2005, the use of school premises during the school day, for purposes other than regular school business requires the prior approval of the Minister for Education and Skills so that the overall needs of the school can be accommodated into the future.

Proposals to the Minister of Education and Skills to allow use of accommodation during the school day have been facilitated in the past, provided that the school's current and future accommodation needs are not compromised and the consent of the patron has been received. In the case of the facility in question, future accommodation needs for the primary school intake will take precedence over the needs of the pre-school.

In facilitating the establishment of pre-schools in schools or co-located with schools, DES looks favourably on the establishment of pre-school facilities on school sites. However, there are a number of complex issues that need to be considered in respect of such arrangements. These issues, including property, governance, insurance and liability, are being considered as part of a review within DES of the requirements around the use of school premises/property for pre-school services and the preparation of guidelines in relation to same. Legal advice is being sought by the Department of Education and Skills in relation to these issues. Officials from the Department of Education are working closely with officials from my Department on the matter.

My Department is currently working with the 30 City/County Childcare Committees to ensure that there will be sufficient supply to meet the demand for the extended Early Childhood Care and Education programme that will be available from September of this year. All options that serve children and families will be considered in order to meet this demand.