John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

Not an inch. I spoke with the resource teacher in Slieverue who, during the week, was supervising one of the breaks in the yard. The schoolyard consists of a basketball court and a small amount of ground around the edge. There were three soccer matches and a basketball match taking place at the same time in that basketball court in Slieverue national school which caters for 300 or 400 pupils. I agree wholeheartedly with Senator O'Toole who emphasised the necessity to provide facilities for schools throughout the country. Special emphasis should be placed on the provision of sporting facilities in primary schools whether it is extra ground for a soccer or hurling pitch or a multipurpose room that allows for PE indoors. This is a facility in which the Government should invest as there is much to be gained in terms of improvements in people's health etc.