Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I know this is an issue. There is a reference to it in the programme for Government as well. I know the Minister, Deputy McEntee, is working on this. From an education perspective, the most immediate and pressing issue when we have shortages or issues, whether they be in special education or in areas where particular demands or acute pressures are emerging, is that we provide the classrooms and school places. It will be a matter for the wider sectoral plan in education to see whether there is any projected headroom available within the total allocation to advance such a policy. That is something the Minister, Deputy McEntee, will have to work on in the context of the parameters that are there. There has been a 50% uplift in education funding in the new national development plan cycle.

To put on my former hat as Minister of State with responsibility for sport, we can do more between education and sports facilities through the funding stream of the sports capital programme to build a more municipal focus in the delivery of sporting infrastructure. There are a lot of good examples of it in certain areas where the schools are using a facility during the day and the clubs get to use it at night. There is shared use. That is ultimately the best way to develop it. In some instances, it is the PE hall specifically that is in demand. It is a matter for the Minister for education, Deputy McEntee, to see what is possible with the pressures that she has around managing the building programme and whether there is headroom to make such a move. There is a reference to it in the programme for Government, however. There is a timing issue the Minister will have to consider. There is still ongoing pressure in delivering the actual classrooms and everything else the Department does.