Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 March 2015
237. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if grant aid is available for small-sized primary schools to provide assembly areas, general practitioner rooms and physical education facilities, where there are very limited or no sporting and recreational facilities available at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11002/15]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware of the challenge that we have in ensuring that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers and the need to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place. To meet this challenge, almost €2 billion in funding is being invested by the Department under the current 5 Year capital plan, announced in 2012. Due to the competing demands on my Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise available funding for the provision of essential school classroom accommodation, it is not possible, at this point, to consider applications for the facilities referred to by the Deputy.
