Vol. 489 No. 3
295 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the length of time taken on each of the last ten PE halls from formal commitment to initiating the planning process to the signing of contracts for the construction and to the completion date. [8181/98]
It is the policy of my Department to provide PE halls as part of the schedule of accommodation for all new post-primary schools. PE halls are also provided when a major extension to a school, which does not have such a facility, is being built.
An examination of records by officials in the planning and building unit of my Department indicates that the average timescale, from formal commitment to completion based on ten of the most recently completed projects which include PE halls, is six and a half years. This criteria is currently under review.
296 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the area in square metres allocated to PE halls funded by his Department; and the number of pupils provided for. [8182/98]
Currently, when new second level schools for more than 500 pupils are being constructed or existing schools extended, a PE hall of 393 square metres is provided. Schools for fewer than 500 pupils are provided with 336 square metres.
Additional areas are provided as appropriate for ancillary accommodation such as showers and changing rooms, boiler rooms and storage space. The exact dimensions will vary depending on whether the facility is stand alone or attached to the main body of a building. Obviously, duplication is avoided to keep costs down.
297 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the criteria and guidelines, if any, in determining the area in square metres allocated to PE halls in relation to pupil ratio. [8183/98]
Physical education halls at second level schools are intended as a teaching space to impart the appropriate level of physical education skills to students: they are not intended as an area for competitive sport.
The dimensions of a PE hall are determined by factors such as the number of students attending the school where the facility is located, the requirements for ancillary accommodation such a showers and changing areas, the necessity in some cases to provide a separate boiler house and whether the facility is stand-alone or attached to the main body of the school.
