I am aware of the proposal referred to by the Deputy.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced a major new initiative in the special education area under which all children assessed as having special educational needs will be entitled to an automatic response to those needs. The level and nature of the response in each case will depend on the assessed needs of the child or group of children involved. The response may take the form of full or part-time special support teaching and-or child care support depending on the number of children involved and the nature of their needs.
In the context of these new arrangements, I have asked my officials to consider the proposal in detail.
Under the devolved grant scheme, my Department allocates funding to schools to improve facilities, including play areas. It is open to all boards of management to carry out improvements to play areas utilising funding provided under this scheme.