Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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380. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school building projects in County Kildare at planning stage that are currently incorporating the provision of additional buildings for afterschool services within their plans, given the need for a seamless service in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23242/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department prioritises its capital funding for the provision of school accommodation to meet school place requirements, including for children with special educational needs. It does not provide funding towards the provision of accommodation for childcare or other non-school related services. School authorities or third parties may occasionally fund the provision of such accommodation but the Department does not hold records in this respect.

My Department's policy is to encourage the use of school facilities, where possible, for community, training and education-related activities, including early learning and care, school-age childcare and after school activities.

To assist schools in considering applications for use of their facilities, a set of Guidelines on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours is available on my Department’s website. These Guidelines are currently in the process of being updated.