Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for her comments, which I will convey to the Minister. As matters stand, the Department does not believe that students' enjoyment of all sports will be hampered by hard play areas.

The rationale for not allowing AstroTurf is that it is not a feasible proposition as it would reduce the area of the hard play space in what is a constrained urban site and would provide less flexibility. The Department does not provide funding for AstroTurf for any school so an exception cannot, unfortunately, be made for this school in the context of 4,000 schools across the country. To do so would set a precedent in that regard and there is only so much funding that can be made available. I am pleased that the application for planning permission from the school will proceed this week and, hopefully, that will result in a positive outcome.