Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

The Joint Committee on Education and Science did a report, for which I was rapporteur, on physical education, one of the recommendations of which was that there would be a specific period of specialised funding for PE, similar to that provided for information technology. Has the Minister considered that recommendation? Deputy Sargent tabled a question on promoting a healthy diet in schools. We must accept that part of this must be done in the PE section of the school curriculum. Some primary schools are doing a good job but others do not have the facilities. While the building programme is still under pressure in terms of applications, I cannot foresee a time when only PE buildings will be used for that purpose. In light of the Estimates I ask the Minister to consider a specific period of specialised funding for PE in schools.

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