Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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264. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the ongoing efforts by her Department, if any, to provide integrated before- and after-school services given the necessity for both parents to remain in employment due to high mortgages; if it is anticipated that this issue is being provided for in a meaningful way via the school building programme to ensure appropriate accommodation for same on site within schools; the extent to which there is any ongoing collaboration with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31931/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Thank you for your inquiry.

As you may be aware, funding for pre-school services is a matter for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. My colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has policy responsibility for school-age childcare.

In general, capital funding by the Department of Education is reserved for the provision of mainstream school accommodation for primary education upwards, as well as for children with special educational needs.

It is, however, Department of Education policy to support the wider use of school facilities, for community usage, where possible. To this end, in 2017, The Department has published "Guidelines for the Use of School Buildings Outside of School Hours". These guidelines are currently being updated, following a recent consultative survey distributed to schools/patrons.