Mr. John Curtis:

I have a few points. It is gratifying to know the physical education situation will be looked at, as referenced by Deputy Catherine Martin and Senator Ruane. We have done some research on it in our own sector and we know only 50% of our schools have full-sized physical education halls. Of those, 72% of the halls were fully or partly funded by the schools so it is important that we will be looking at the physical education situation as we move forward because 64 new schools are taking it as a subject now. It is an important issue to engage with.

In our submission we also made the point that one of our concerns at local level with principalship and leadership in schools is the administrative burden being placed on schools. We are ever more into an era of accountability and governance and we have suggested that perhaps the Department might be able to find some way of giving some administrative assistance to schools engaged in large-scale projects. What we want our leaders to do in schools is to lead the teaching and learning process. I imagine I speak for all of my colleagues in the management bodies here when I say we have the utmost trust in the planning and building unit in Tullamore and the work it does. It is far-sighted, thoughtful and works well with individual schools and ourselves as management bodies.

Individual schools will always have difficulties but the unit has the required planning ability, foresight and expertise. Ultimately it comes down to resources and whether the Government in its wisdom can give money in order that we can upgrade our schools. We are worried about the old stock we have and the discrepancy arising between new schools and what might be found in older schools. That is not fair on students. It will take time to address this issue but I have no doubt that it will be addressed if the proper funds are given to the planning and building unit over years.

To be positive, we have spoken here before about autism units and special classrooms and it is fantastic to see what has been done in schools that are being resourced. There is great promise in what we might be able to do and if the Government can find a way to resource what the planning and building unit needs to do, we would be most grateful.