Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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232. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will author a policy document advising schools on a way to establish after-school services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46629/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's policy is to encourage the use of school buildings outside of school hours for community and recreational purposes, including after school services. The decision on the use of the school building is a matter for the owner of the building taking into consideration the needs of the school, staff and students.

As the Deputy may be aware, in October 2017 my Department published, in consultation with the representatives of school authorities, Guidelines on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide guidance to schools in relation to their current and potential future arrangements for the use of school buildings outside of school hour., including possible use for an after school service.

The guidelines are available on the www.gov.ie website at:

ca5b1787db1b47f98de31f57e977dad0.pdf (assets.gov.ie)