John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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143. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will liaise with an organisation (details supplied) in regard to an application by a school to provide preschool services; the reason the school has been refused permission to date in view of the fact the school has the facilities to provide the service and, by not providing such a service, is at a distinct disadvantage to other schools which do so, resulting in numbers into the school reducing and ultimately jeopardising the future of the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38463/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that, in general, school authorities have a considerable degree of autonomy in relation to how their premises are managed and utilised at local level. It should be noted that the vast majority of primary school buildings in the country are in private ownership, including the school referred to by the Deputy.

The Department has a general policy of encouraging the use of school facilities by community and other groups where this is possible. However, any proposal for the use of school facilities must be approved by the Patron/owner. I understand that the Patron/owner has not granted approval for the operation of a pre-school on the premises in question.

Proposals to the Minister 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. I understand that the school has been in contact with the Patron in this regard.