Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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224. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the CDETB has parks and playing pitches that could be used as public parks given the increased demand need for such amenities at present. [37581/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The specific information requested by the Deputy regarding the number of parks and playing pitches held by the City of Dublin Education and Training Board which could be used as public parks is not readily available within my Department.

In the case of all Education and Training Board (“ETB”) schools and colleges, the Board of Management has responsibility for determining the use of the school/college buildings or grounds for community purposes at times which do not affect school/college work. Regulations and conditions governing the use of the premises for community purposes must be prepared by a Board of Management for the approval of the ETB and are subject to alterations from time to time with the approval of the ETB.

Any proposal to make ETB facilities including parks or playing pitches available for use by the general public raises additional issues to those presented by a proposal to make a facility available to a community group or local club which would undertake to manage the use of the property over the period of any access.  These additional issues, which include  management, insurance and health & safety, would need to be considered by the ETB in advance of any decision to grant access.

In addition, during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, the school or the ETB, in considering any applications should carry out a risk assessment with regard to adherence to public health requirements.