Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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213. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school buildings in north County Dublin currently being utilised for after-school services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54108/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government commits to expand the provision of after-school and childcare in school buildings and campuses, in tandem with the school building programme, to provide better access for parents and communities.

While the primary role of my department is the provision of primary and post primary school education, my department has a stated policy of encouraging the use of school facilities for a wider community use, where appropriate.

In June 2024 my department published revised “Procedures on the use of School Buildings and School Sports Facilities outside of School Hours” which cater for a wide range of local level arrangements, including early learning and childcare, use by sports club, recreational use, community use and other services on school property where circumstances permit.

In general, my department recognises that the use of school premises for community or after-school purposes is managed at local level and school authorities have a considerable degree of autonomy in relation to how their respective premises are managed and utilised. A school must obtain the permission of their patron and the property owner before permitting the use of the school premises for after school activities.

My department conducts an annual Schools Data Collection survey (SDC) each October which asks schools a range of questions in relation to the day-to-day operation of the schools.

The 2025/2026 school year SDC will reflect the full operation of the new procedures on after school use.

My department will be analysing the returns from school over the course of Q4 2025 and Q1 2026 in relation to responses on specific questions including after-school usage.

Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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214. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school buildings in north County Dublin currently being utilised for breakfast club services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54109/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The funding and policy for the School Meals Programme is under the responsibility of the Department of Social Protection.

I fully support the objective of the School Meals Programme, which is a vital component of cross-departmental policies, and which encourage school attendance and educational achievement.

Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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215. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the role of her Department in encouraging or facilitating the use of school buildings for after-school and breakfast club services, including any updated guidelines or funding supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54110/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government 2025 commits to expand the provision of after-school and childcare in school buildings and campuses, in tandem with the school building programme, to provide better access for parents and communities.

My department actively encourages the use of school facilities, where feasible, for community purposes outside of school hours.

To support schools in facilitating after-school and childcare arrangements, my department has published 'Procedures on the Use of School Property and School Sports Facilities Outside of School Hours'.

These procedures provide clear guidance for schools on how their buildings and facilities may be used outside of regular school hours, including for after school and childcare services.

Each school can refer to these procedures when considering such arrangements, ensuring that any use aligns with governance and safety standards.