Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2004
99 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science the reasoning behind the decision to remove the physical education and sports maintenance grant from schools; and his views on whether this constitutes a wise long term cost saving, in view of the huge health and educational benefits of physical education and the importance of getting children involved from an early age. [5223/04]
View answerPhysical education is a compulsory part of the curriculum for primary schools. In October 2000, my Department introduced an annual physical education grant for all primary schools. Since the introduction of the scheme, my Department provided in excess of €5.5 million in grant aid to primary schools under this scheme for schools to provide coaching or mentoring in connection with physical education or for the purchase of resource materials associated with the provision of physical education. Materials and equipment purchased by schools in previous years will generally be available to them for the current year.
In 2002, primary schools designated as disadvantaged schools received a grant of €1,270 while other recognised primary schools received a grant of €635. Approximately €2.4 million was allocated to schools in 2002 under this scheme. In the light of the current budgetary constraints, I decided to withdraw payment of the grant from 2003. However, schools may use their ordinary capitation grant which has been increased to €121.58 with effect from 1 January 2004. The position will be kept under review as part of the normal Estimates process in the coming years.
