Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Dec 1998

Vol. 497 No. 6

Written Answers - Physical Education Facilities.

Ivor Callely

Question:

119 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department supports the need and provision of physical education in secondary schools; the level of support and funds available to Ard Scoil Rís, Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9, in the building of a sports hall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25782/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin):

It is the policy of my Department to provide physical education halls as part of the schedule of accommodation for all new post-primary schools. A PE hall is 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 which do not already have this facility and a number of such projects have proceeded to construction in the current year.

A number of initiatives have been put in place in the last year to support the provision of physical education in schools. These include the development of a new junior cycle PE programme which is being piloted in 60 schools throughout the country.

The question of providing funding towards the construction of a PE hall at Ard Scoil Rís secondary school, Dublin 9, will be considered in the context of capital available for post-primary purposes generally.