Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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585.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to encourage schools to allow crèches to operate on their grounds where space is available; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[34711/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department supports and encourages the use of school buildings for community and recreational purposes, where feasible, including childcare and after school uses.

My Department has recently published the Procedures on the use of school property and school sports facilities outside of school hours. These Procedures 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 creche arrangements.

However, the decision on the use of school property is a matter for the property owner taking into consideration the current and future requirements of the school, the students and the 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.