Thomas P. Broughan
Question:118 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that the capital estimates of her Department for 1997 include a provision for a sports hall for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 13. [21487/96]
Written Answers. - School (Dublin 13) Sports Hall.
It is the policy of my Department to provide physical education facilities on a phased basis at all second-level schools where such facilities are not already available.
The principal factor which determines progress in this area is the amount of capital funding available in any given financial year. Given the limited resources available, the priority for the foreseeable future, as far as the second level capital programme is concerned, will continue to be the provision of essential classroom accommodation. However, it was found possible to make provision for the architectural planning of PE halls at twelve schools in the 1996 capital programme, which includes the school in question. The progress of these projects is now being considered by my Department in the context of the 1997 capital allocation.