Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 1

Written Answers - Schools Refurbishment.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

251 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction the purchase of a two and a half acre site by Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown, County Kilkenny, to allow the school to relocate their playing fields in view of the fact that the new school extension is built on part of the land which was used as a playing field. [5404/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

Physical education facilities encompass indoor PE halls, outdoor hard play areas such as basketball, tennis courts and playing fields. Virtually all schools have at least one element of these facilities.

The principal factor which determines progress in this area is the amount of capital funding available in any given financial year. The question of providing capital for the purchase of a site for Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown, County Kilkenny, to provide additional physical education facilities can only be considered in the context of the capital available for post-primary building purposes generally. Because of the demand for additional accommodation and repairs to existing accommodation in schools throughout the country it is not possible to state when this request for additional playing facilities will be facilitated. However, I can assure the Deputy should financial circumstances permit, the school will be given every consideration.