Vol. 503 No. 4
194 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education and Science the extra investment, if any, he plans to make in schools in order that there is further provision for sports activities for young boys and girls in view of the intention of his Department to make physical education an exam subject. [10532/99]
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 already 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 within the past year.
The Deputy will be aware of a £9 million programme to provide community sportshalls attached to schools in drug task force areas. This is a joint programme between my Department, the Department of Social Community and Family Affairs and the Department of the Environment and Local Government.
A pilot project was established earlier this year to evaluate, in a school context, aspects of a new and revised junior cycle physical education syllabus which it is intended will be introduced into the school curriculum over the next few years. The project will explore issues relating to the resources necessary for introducing the new programme.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is preparing a draft leaving certificate syllabus. it is my intention that the subject will be introduced into the leaving certificate curriculum in the school year 2001-02.
195 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education and Science his policy on providing sports facilities in primary schools. [10533/99]
My Department's current policy is to provide general-purpose rooms in new primary schools with four classrooms or more. In addition, a standard area of 100 square metres of paved play area per class unit is provided. A ball-court is included on the lay area and nets, posts and markings for basketball, netball and volleyball are eligible for grant-aid.
The specifications for general-purpose rooms and play areas are being examined at present as part of an overall review of planning data for primary schools.
