asked the Minister for Education if he has now finalised the criteria for the allocation of sports halls to post-primary schools; and if not, when such criteria will be finalised.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sports Halls.
40.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 511 of 17 October 1978 regarding the provision of gymnasia in second-level schools. The finalisation of the criteria for the allocation of such halls does not arise at present.
Would the Minister agree that he is in the unfortunate position of having to renege on the commitment he gave in this House in response to questions, that he would build at least one sports hall a year including sports halls for schools which were denied them by the Coalition Government?
What is the date of the alleged statement, and the quotation?
I am not allowed to quote during Question Time but the Minister is aware that he gave a commitment. The Minister was also unwise enough to state that he would build at least ten sports halls by the time the Government went out of office, which put a term on the present Government's term of office, which was not perhaps the wisest thing to do at the time. Has the Minister sanctioned any sports halls since he came to office?
The programme to provide sports halls for community and comprehensive schools which was implemented by the Fianna Fáil Government up to the time they left office in 1973 and was interrupted by a decision of the National Coalition Government and has not as yet been restarted. There is a considerable backlog there. I would like to be in a position to put a sports hall in every new community or comprehensive school being constructed. Up to now, I have not had any opportunity of dealing with the mess that was left to me. I would point out that each one of these sports halls costs about £100,000 and I had to provide classroom and laboratory facilities in the schools hitherto. It is my intention, as soon as possible, to provide sports halls for all newly constructed schools.
The answer is none, is that correct?
Before or after the Universities Bill?
Questions Nos. 41, 42 and 43 are for written reply. Question No. 44.