Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Deputy. In respect of any improvements or adjustments that schools might wish to make, that is definitely not within our Department's bailiwick but it may be something we can talk to the Minister for Education about.

I will take this question on board because it is a good one. We all are aware of space that is available in communities but which is not always accessible. We have a responsibility to at least make an inquiry as to what we can do in that regard. However, we are talking about facilities that are funded by another Department and have independent boards of management. We cannot force anybody to do this but we can certainly explore how we can encourage it and say that we would be supportive of a move to make such facilities more active.

Regarding the Deputy's initial question on supporting community activities, we have a big day coming up next month with St. Patrick's Day. My colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin, will be doing a great deal to support cultural and artistic events. I have not looked forward to a St. Patrick's Day as much as I am looking forward to the one coming up. Many people across communities in the country will be looking forward to it as well. The Government, and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media will certainly support those activities and help people to get out and socialise again.

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