Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

The physical education curriculum for primary 11 reads well as it features subjects such as aquatics. In practical terms, however, the Department does not provide funding to cover the cost of transferring children to swimming pools in the locality. Will this policy be reconsidered? Does the Minister plan to prioritise swimming and aquatics?

The Minister referred to small four-teacher schools, many of which are in rural areas. It is inaccurate to claim these schools are frequently located close to sports facilities. This is often not the case and where such facilities are nearby, they tend to be outdoor facilities given that few indoor gymnasiums have been built in rural areas either by the private or public sectors.

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