John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I will paraphrase what was said. It seems that the implementation of the physical education curriculum in schools depends on the meteorological service rather than on the Department of Education and Science. When will the Minister give serious consideration to the provision of physical education facilities? The recent INTO report stated that 80% of schools in County Donegal have no PE hall and the same applies in 63% of schools in County Clare and 70% of schools in County Kerry. This does not tally with what the Minister just said. I do not wish to be negative in my comments. The Department stated that the physical education curriculum can be implemented when these indoor facilities are provided, such as in Tuam, County Galway. The evidence is there. We all know about the money that needs to be spent on dealing with drugs but money spent on PE facilities is money spent on prevention. Has the Minister further plans to improve physical education facilities? When will PE be included as a subject in the second level curriculum, as has been promised for the past 15 years?

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