Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 July 2017
279. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department or a body under its aegis sets a minimum size of playing pitches that should be provided for new primary or post-primary school developments on a per pupil basis; if so, the details of same; and the minimum pitch sizes that should be retained by existing primary and post-primary schools. [35243/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the case of new schools, the provision of playspace, where site conditions and circumstances allow, is one of the issues considered in the architectural design of new schools and major extensions. The level of facilities, including playspace, that can be provided in schools will therefore vary depending on the extent of classroom accommodation needed for the school.
A suite of technical guidance documents is available on the Department's website (www.education.ie) to assist design teams in best practice design and development of projects and to encourage them to take a complete design team approach from project conception. These documents cover all aspects of the development of a building project for both internal and external works, including site assessments for new schools.
The Physical Education curriculum has been designed on the basis that facilities in schools may vary. Many primary schools have a general purpose room and practically all schools have outdoor play areas which are used for teaching different aspects of the P.E. programme. A similar situation with sports halls and outdoor facilities applies at second level. In addition, many schools use adjacent local facilities, including public parks, playing fields and swimming pools. In the context of the Department's co-operation with local authorities in identifying suitable sites for new schools, the location of sporting facilities in the vicinity is one of a number of factors taken into account in the overall site appraisal process.
The Department's design guidelines for schools include guidance in the provision of P.E. Halls, general purpose rooms and outdoor hard play areas such as basketball courts. The provision of playing pitches is not part of the specification for primary schools. However, in certain circumstances and where the site conditions allow, the project scope may include the levelling and grassing of an area which schools may decide to use for playing fields.
At post primary level, an area may be developed as a practice playing field where site conditions and resources permit and specifications are referenced in the site assessment guidelines. The inclusion of playing pitches may be subject to space availability and school requirements.
In higher density urban developments the optimum site area may not be available and green space guidelines are subject to space availability.
