Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2022
424. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of physical education halls that have been built and or modernised to date in 2022; the number that were built and or modernised in 2021; the number that are expected to be built and or modernised in the full year 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025; and the cost, under the National Development Plan funding. [26180/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides PE halls with the construction of all new post primary schools. These facilities may also be provided where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school.
My Department is working to compile the available data requested by the Deputy and I will arrange for this information to be sent directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department continues to implement the capital programme under the National Development Plan. Investment and expenditure on PE halls is an element of the overall expenditure and investment in the School Building Programme. The main focus of resources over the last decade has been on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics, particularly at post-primary level and for special education needs provision.
However, under Project Ireland 2040 there will be an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock. This will include a PE Hall build and modernisation programme to ensure that students in all post-primary schools have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision, as committed to in the Programme for Government.
The Deputy may also be aware of the very significant school building programme that is currently underway. Overall, there are in excess of 1,300 school building projects at various stages of design, planning, and construction. Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
As the Deputy may be aware, at a national level, primary enrolments are projected to decrease significantly over the coming decade, from a peak in 2018. While there will be local and regional variations, and the impact of Ukrainian arrivals will mitigate this reduction somewhat, there will be strategic opportunities to consider the overall accommodation needs of schools.
My Department will continue to work to ensure that capital investment in our schools is targeted in the most efficient and effective way to support schools in meeting the education needs of their students and communities.
