The Deputy will be aware that a building project for the three schools in question is included on the Department's School Building Programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan (NDP).
Significant PE facilities are being provided for the schools concerned as part of the Buncrana campus development. These include:
- PE Hall, which includes Fitness Suite, Changing Suites, Showers and Equipment Stores
- 5 Hard Play Courts (3,060 m²)
- 4 Secure Soft Play Areas (200m ² in total)
In addition to this, the schedule of accommodation for the primary school includes the following sporting facilities:
- General Purpose Hall
- Ballcourts (585m²)
- Junior Play Area (200m ²)
- 2 Secure Soft Play Areas (100m ²in total)
- Sensory Garden (100m ²)
Furthermore, where the site area and building configuration permits, an area should be reserved suitable for use as a practice playing field.
The above facilities are consistent with that outlined in my Department's design guidelines for new schools.
My Department's priority is to advance this campus development into the architectural planning process as quickly as possible and the Department will continue to liaise with the school authorities in this regard.
My Department has no plans to acquire additional land for the school development.
The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.gov.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.
My Department provides general purpose and PE halls with the construction of all new primary and post primary schools respectively. External play areas, in line with what is being provided for the schools in the Buncrana campus, are also provided.
These internal and external sports facilities may also be provided where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school.
