Ivor Callely
Question:181 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the building of gyms and sports halls for schools that have no such facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3717/99]
Written Answers. - Physical Education Facilities.
Physical education facilities encompass indoor PE halls and outdoor hard play areas, such as basketball and tennis courts and playing fields. Virtually all schools have at least one element of these facilities.
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 and a number of these have proceeded to construction in recent months. In all cases, the appropriate range of physical education equipment is provided as part of the project.
Schools which require repairs or refurbishment to be carried out to existing PE facilities are eligible to apply for grant-aid under my Department's scheme of capital grants and are allocated funding as resources permit.