Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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506. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the ongoing efforts, if any, to liaise with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, with a view to providing in-house afterschool services in all primary schools throughout the country to ensure seamless transition between education and care facilities for all children and 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; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45229/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that funding for preschool 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.

By way of information, generally 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.

However, 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 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 services and arrangements.