Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, investment and expenditure on physical education, PE, halls is an element of the overall expenditure and investment in the school building programme. The provision of general purpose, GP, rooms and PE halls at primary and post-primary level, respectively, as well as outdoor hard play areas forms part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings or where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school. My Department provides different sized PE halls and GP rooms depending on the size of the post-primary or primary school. I stress that there has been no reduction in the size of GP rooms or PE halls provided for primary and post-primary schools, respectively, in new school buildings. At primary level, a 195 sq. m GP room is provided as standard as part of new eight to 16 classroom school buildings, with larger primary schools with 24 or more mainstream classes being provided with twice this size. At post-primary level, smaller, new post-primary school buildings are provided with a 406 sq. m PE hall, with schools designed for 450 or more students provided with a larger 594 sq. m hall.

Again, there has been no reduction in the size of school halls in new school buildings and this policy has been in place for a significant number of years. GP rooms and PE halls form part of a suite of ancillary facilities provided as part of new school buildings. At primary level, new school buildings additionally include a library, a multi-purpose room, special education tuition rooms and offices. The accommodation provided for new primary schools to support children with special educational needs also includes a central activities space, a multi-activity room, a daily living skills facility and quiet spaces.

At post-primary level, new school buildings include a GP room as well as a PE hall, social areas, pastoral offices, special education tuition rooms and a fitness suite. As at primary level, accommodation provided in new post-primary school buildings for students with special educational needs also includes significant ancillary facilities.

In addition, my Department’s design guidelines for all new schools provide for outdoor multi-use games areas. The level of play space provided varies with the size of school. For example, a new 24-classroom primary school with special education needs classes is provided with three ball courts and two junior play areas as well as a secure hard and soft play area and a sensory garden. In respect of new post-primary schools, a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school will be provided with six ball courts and a secure hard and soft special education play area.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

The accommodation and facilities provided as part of new school building projects have been designed to meet the curricular and operational needs of schools, including the delivery of the PE curriculum. At primary level, the general purpose room can be utilised to support the provision of PE but it is important to note that the PE curriculum permits schools flexibility in its implementation and supports a broad and balanced approach taking account of the varying indoor and outdoor facilities available.

The main focus of resources over the past decade has been - and will be over the coming period - on the provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics, particularly at post-primary level and for special education needs provision. The Deputy will appreciate that the immediate priority of my Department is continued strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023-24 school year and supporting special needs provision.

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