Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 June 2004
95 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to claims by the INTO that primary schools are not geared up for the introduction of a new physical education programme; the steps he intends to take to address this situation, especially in regard to facilities and resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19486/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraA new physical education, PE, curriculum is being introduced into primary schools as part of the primary curriculum. It is planned that the new PE curriculum will be in place for the start of the 2006-07 school year.
My Department is aware from recent media reports of an INTO survey on physical education facilities in primary schools. The issue of PE facilities in primary schools was one of a number of matters discussed at a meeting in June held between officials in my Department's planning and building unit and the INTO. At this meeting the INTO accepted that, with regard to schools where such facilities were inadequate, a balance was required in the division of the funding allocation for the various sub-categories of the school building programme with appropriate priority being given to the provision of mainstream classroom accommodation.
The provision of multi-purpose space for primary schools will continue to be considered within the design brief for new schools and/or renovation and extension school building projects. This is being done in the context of available resources and the published criteria for prioritising school building projects. In terms of resources, the Government is delivering on its commitment to provide modern facilities in schools and has progressively increased funding in recent years, with an aggregate total of almost €2 billion being provided since 1998, the largest investment programme in the history of the State.
My Department has never underestimated the scale of the task and the level of capital funding and other resources required to rectify decades of underinvestment in school infrastructure. The budget announcement regarding multi-annual capital envelopes will enable me to adopt a multi-annual framework for the school building programme, which in turn will give greater clarity regarding projects that are not progressing to tender in this year's programme. I will make a further announcement in that regard during the year.
