Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 October 2004
175 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will review her policy which requires schools to use physical education halls and other rooms as classrooms before they will be considered for additional accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26102/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset let me make it clear that the policy of my Department is to provide for the delivery of a broad and balanced physical education curriculum at both primary and post-primary levels.
In relation to facilities generally, the position is such that many primary schools have a general purpose room and practically all schools have an outdoor play area which are utilised in the delivery of all aspects of the physical education programme. Many schools also enjoy the use of adjacent local facilities, including playing fields, public parks and public swimming pools.
A particular difficulty arose this year in relation to some schools in need of additional accommodation to facilitate the appointment of an extra teacher. The school planning section of my Department considered all applications for temporary accommodation for the current school year. However in the context of the available funding and the number of applications for that funding, it was not possible to approve all applications received. Only those schools with an absolute and demonstrated need for the additional accommodation were approved.
As an interim measure some schools were advised to maximise the use of their existing accommodation until my Department is in a position to make extra accommodation available.
The need for additional accommodation at any given school will be considered in the context of the review which is being undertaken of all projects that did not proceed as part of the 2004 school building programme, with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual school building programme from 2005, details of which will be announced following conclusion of the current estimates and budgetary process.
