Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Jun 2001

Vol. 539 No. 2

Written Answers. - Sports Facilities.

John McGuinness

Question:

181 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has agreed the prototype plans for school gyms; the delay in providing such plans; the number of schools now waiting for the plans to be unveiled; the time frame for providing such gyms when the plans are completed; if there will be a planned roll-out of this infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19248/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The building unit of my Department is preparing a physical education, PE, hall template. It is envisaged that the template will be available for generic application later this year.

There has been no inordinate delay in preparing this template. A complex range of factors governs the lifecycle of any potential building project. These include ensuring compliance with stringent health and safety regulations, building regulations and all necessary local authority planning requirements.

The templates are being piloted in four schools initially and it is expected to be available for widespread application thereafter.

Any applications to my Department for PE halls which are awaiting the development of the template will be processed as quickly as possible having regard to available resources and compet ing demands for other types of school infrastructure.