Physical Education Facilities

Tuesday, 19 February 2019

Questions (235)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

235. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide a physical education hall for a school (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to an application lodged with his Department for the project in conjunction with the broader community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8167/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy will be aware that under the Project Ireland 2040 National Development Plan (NDP), increased funding has been provided for the school sector capital investment programme. This funding allows for a continued focus on the provision of a new permanent school places to keep pace with demographic demand and also provides for an additional focus on the refurbishment of existing school buildings to include the building and modernisation of PE facilities in post-primary schools.

The immediate priority of my Department is providing 20,000 new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place. The government will focus in the medium term on the provision of PE facilities in schools.