I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 151 together.
A new physical education, PE, curriculum is being introduced into primary schools as part of the primary curriculum. It is planned that the new PE curriculum will be in place for the start of the 2006-07 school year. My Department is aware from recent media reports of an INTO survey on physical education facilities in primary schools. The issue of P.E. facilities in primary schools was one of a number of matters discussed at a meeting in June held between officials in my Department's planning and building unit and the INTO. At this meeting the INTO accepted that in the case of schools where such facilities were inadequate, a balance was required in the division of the funding allocation for the various sub-categories of the school building programme with appropriate priority being given to the provision of mainstream classroom accommodation.
The provision of multi-purpose space for primary schools will continue to be considered within the design brief for new schools and/or renovation or extension school building projects. This is being done in the context of available resources and the published criteria for prioritising school building projects. In terms of resources, the Government is delivering on its commitment to provide modern facilities in schools and has progressively increased funding in recent years, with an aggregate total of almost €2 billion being provided since 1998, the largest investment programme in the history of the State.
My Department has never underestimated the scale of the task and the level of capital funding and other resources required to rectify decades of underinvestment in school infrastructure. The budget announcement regarding multi-annual capital envelopes will enable me to adopt a multi-annual framework for the school building programme, which in turn will give greater clarity regarding projects that are not progressing to tender in this year's programme. I will make a further announcement in that regard during the year.
With regard to the PE grant, I decided to withdraw payment of this in the light of the current budgetary constraints. The position will be kept under review as part of the normal Estimates process in the coming years. In addition to the specific grant referred to, both primary and post-primary schools can use their general capitation funding to support the implementation of curricula, including PE.
My Department has no plans to conduct an audit of PE and sports facilities in schools. However, with regard to the proposed nationwide audit of sports facilities, the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism intends to establish an interagency steering group shortly to commence work on developing a long-term strategic plan for the provision of sports facilities. One of the first tasks for this group will be to oversee the commencement of a national audit of sports facilities. Careful consideration will be given by this steering group to the scope of such an audit, in terms of the type, size and location of such facilities to be included.
