Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is no doubt that planning and site issues create delays. We have developed a very close working relationship with local authorities so that a protocol is in place. They developing areas, identify sites where schools are needed and inform us because we are a notifiable party. When they consider planning applications they notify us of their intentions or of the planning applications that have been submitted. As Deputy Thomas Byrne has said, we consider the big projects or the projects funded by the local infrastructure housing activation fund, LIHAF. We consider instances where substantial money is being put in to release projects. All of that information is taken into account when considering whether additional resources are needed, or get sites designated by the local authority or, indeed, acquired. All over the country we have experienced difficulties working with local authorities. Even with everyone wanting an outcome there are difficulties when acquiring or nailing down sites and it is a challenge.

On the issue of selecting schools to participate in the PE pilot scheme, Deputy Tony McLoughlin has raised this issue in the Dáil. As 360 schools applied for just 80 places the steering committee had to select schools in order to make sure there was a balanced mix of schools.

I will revert to Deputy Catherine Martin with a reply to her question on whether there is a school or schools participating in the pilot scheme that have no PE facilities. In order to quality for participation the schools had to prove they had the facility to execute the programme. I would say that a school that was not in a position to execute the programme would not be considered for the pilot scheme. The pilot scheme is just the first phase and we want to test the model.