Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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146. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to parliamentary Question No. 313 of 26 July 2017, when a proposal in respect of the management of a facility (details supplied) was received by his Department; if he will provide a copy of such a proposal; when approval was given for this use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41310/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As advised in my response to parliamentary question 167 of 03 May last and subsequent parliamentary question 313 of 26 July, my Department contributed towards the capital cost of the sports hall for the school referred to. In that regard, my Department has no objection in principle to the use of a school’s recreational facilities for community use.  

My Department issued a circular to all school authorities 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 these school facilities is at the discretion of the Board of Management, subject to the condition that the needs of the students attending the school are prioritised in the first instance.   

It is understood that the school referred has been considering the arrangements to be put in place in respect of the management of the facility.  A proposal in this regard has not been received in my Department to date.