Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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53. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision was taken to reduce school hall sizes in new school buildings, the reason this decision was taken and if she is satisfied that current provision for multi-use rooms is satisfactory for the whole school community. [14324/23]

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Minister indicate when a decision was taken to reduce school hall sizes in new school buildings, the reason this decision was taken and if she is satisfied that current provision for multi-purpose rooms is satisfactory for the whole school community?

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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I heard what the Minister said. I am on the board of management of Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers in Fearann Phiarais on the north side of Cork city. A new school is being built. We have been waiting for a school for 27 or 28 years. This Gaelscoil in the heart of the north side of Cork is getting a 195 sq. m room. It is not a PE hall; it is too small. A hall of this size will not be big enough to hold assemblies or permit proper PE or indoor sport. This comes at a time when we are trying to encourage more children to take part in PE. One consequence of Covid I have seen is the number of children who stayed in their rooms on PlayStation, Xboxes and phones. We now want to encourage more children to get involved in sport when they need it more than ever. The board of management and the parents' council at Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers had to give a commitment to the Department to raise €100,000 to get the school hall they needed. We are talking about €100,000 from a DEIS school, which is shocking.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I know the Deputy’s personal investment in the school. The fact that there is a new school development is very positive and I know the Deputy has personally engaged in that. The question concerns size. I can only confirm to the Deputy that this is the standard size that is being provided at primary level. A 195 sq. m GP room is provided as part of a new eight to 16 classroom building. Obviously, a larger school will get a larger GP facility. This is part of a further suite of measures that has been provided. In addition to the GP rooms and PE halls, for example, a library, a multi-purpose room, special education tuition rooms and offices are provided at primary level. Accommodation provided for new primary schools to support children with special educational needs also includes a central activity space, a multi-activity room, a daily living skills facility, quiet spaces and outdoor facilities.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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While we need outdoor facilities, children could not be outdoors for the past three months with the rain and the cold. Outdoor facilities are not a real option in the winter months in Ireland. School assemblies cannot be held in these school halls because they are too small and they cannot accommodate school plays at the end the year or host indoor tournaments. I have been involved in coaching hurling, football and Gaelic football all my life. The Minister is saying that a school hall for eight classrooms and 16 classrooms is the same. She could at least use the proper rationale. She said a 24-classroom school has nearly 600 sq. m, whereas a 16-classroom building, which is two thirds of that, will have 195 sq. m. There should be at least an extra 100 sq. m for every eight classes. I ask the Minister to extend the size of school halls so that they are fit for purpose. If a school takes on an extra classroom over the year, will the Minister commit to building it a proper sized hall?

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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These are the building guidelines that are the same across the country in terms of a 195 sq. m GP room. The GP room can be used to support 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. I hear what the Deputy is saying. I acknowledge that this is standard practice for all new school buildings. It is the recommended size from the planning and building unit. There is flexibility regarding issues around PE and so on, in that it is a combination of activities. The curriculum permits that element of flexibility. Even though the Deputy implied it in his question, there is no question of a reduction in size. I have set out the size and it is the same across the country.