Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Apr 1998

Vol. 489 No. 6

Written Answers. - Physical Education Facilities.

Conor Lenihan

Question:

707 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps, if any, he is taking to ensure that proper facilities are available to schools in the event of sports becoming a recognised subject in the Leaving Certificate. [8769/98]

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. In addition, my Department has a programme for providing PE halls as stand-alone projects at post-primary schools and it is anticipated that a number of such projects will proceed to construction during 1998.

Conor Lenihan

Question:

708 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps, if any, he is taking to ensure that there is a maximum use of school's sports facilities. [8770/98]

Schools' physical education and sports facilities are used for a wide range of educational programmes for school pupils throughout the school day as well as for adult and continuing programmes after school hours. School authorities are encouraged, where feasible, to ensure maximum use of school physical education and sports facilities by community groups when not in use by the pupils of the school. In this regard, there are ongoing discussions between staff of my Department and the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation with a view to maximising the use of existing schools' sports facilities. It is proposed that any new physical education and sports facilities which are provided for schools will, as far as possible, be built with a view to facilitating community use.

Conor Lenihan

Question:

709 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps, if any, he is taking to ensure that existing school's sports facilities can be shared with local sports clubs. [8771/98]

The question of the use of existing school's sports facilities by local sports clubs would in the first instance be a matter for consideration by the board of management of the individual school, subject to the normal criteria for public liability insurances.

However, my Department would encourage schools to facilitate such requests where possible.

Top
Share