Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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322. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her Department’s views on whether the guidelines on the use of school buildings outside of school hours prohibits the provision of sibling hour and afterschool facilities at a school building (details supplied) as per the decision of the board of management at the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19248/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 340 together.

My Department supports and encourages the use of school buildings for community and recreational purposes, where feasible, including childcare and after school uses. However, the decision on the use of school property is a matter for the property owner taking into considerations the requirements of the school, students and staff. Also it is important that any proposed arrangement does not impede upon the future development of the school, given that the priority for schools is educational provision for its pupils.

My Department has published Guidelines for the Use of School Buildings outside of School Hours. These Guidelines are available for each school to refer to for guidance in relation to the use of school buildings outside of school hours, including any planned after school and childcare arrangements. These Guidelines are not intended to be exhaustive or prescriptive but are provided to assist schools in considering applications for the use of their facilities.

The Guidelines (or Procedures as they are now called) are in the process of being updated and these Procedures are expected to be published very shortly.

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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323. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the Governance Manual for Primary Schools 2023-2027 in anyway prohibits the use of primary schools for sibling hour and/or afterschool services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19249/24]

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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366. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the guidelines on the use of school buildings outside of school hours, or the governance manual for primary school 2023-2027, prohibits the provision of sibling hour and afterschool facilities in a school building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19486/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 323, 341 and 366 together.

My Department supports and encourages the use of school buildings for community and recreational purposes, where feasible, including childcare and after school uses. However, the decision on the use of a school property is a matter for the property owner taking into considerations the requirements of the school, students and staff. Also it is important that any proposed arrangement does not impede upon the future development of the school, given that the priority for schools is educational provision for its pupils.

Section 25 of the Governance Manual for Primary Schools 2023 - 2027 refers to the use of school premises. The Manual states that my Department published Guidelines for the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours in October 2017. These Guidelines are available for each school and are designed to assist schools who wish to use their premises for educational, recreational and community purposes, including childcare services. Schools wishing to make their premises available should first consult the Guidelines. These Guidelines are not intended to be exhaustive or prescriptive but are provided to assist schools in considering applications for the use of their facilities.

The Guidelines (or Procedures as they are now called) are in the process of being updated and these Procedures are expected to be published very shortly.