Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for her reply but we have heard the argument that children spend only 20% of their time in school time and again from her. I understand this but if children had a poor standard of English having spent 20% of their time in school we would not find it acceptable and the fact that children do not get enough exercise is similarly unacceptable.

In terms of investment, I am aware of the figures from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism but I am concerned with the Department of Education and Science today. Fine Gael surveyed 1,400 primary schools and got the following results. Of the respondents, 51% had no indoor PE facilities whatsoever, 25% had only a multipurpose room and 23% had a sports hall. Some 54% of schools had a playing pitch and 46% did not — in other words, little or no sporting facilities.

The Minister mentioned that the Government spent €2 billion on school buildings and I understand this is a priority but is she admitting that the provision of PE facilities in schools is not a priority for this Government? Schools that apply only for a PE hall tend to be given a band four rating. Does this indicate the provision of sports facilities is not seen as a priority?

Regarding the first part of the Minister's reply, is she saying that all second level children spend two hours exercising in school per week or merely that this is what the Department requests of schools? Is there a difference in how this applies at junior cycle level and senior cycle level?

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