Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 November 2020
147. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the number of schools that have a PE hall by county; the percentage of schools that do not have same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34229/20]
View answerThe specific information requested by the Deputy regarding the number of schools that have or do not have a PE hall is not readily available within my Department.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the provision of PE Halls form part of the accommodation brief for all newly established schools. These facilities may also form part of the overall accommodation brief for major capital extensions to existing schools. Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website, www.education.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. The second half of the NDP (from 2023 onwards) will see an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock. This will include a PE Hall build and modernisation programme to ensure that students in all post-primary schools have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision.
The immediate priority of my Department is providing new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place.
