Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 472: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the details of the provision in her Department for each of the past five years for physical education equipment in primary schools and post-primary schools; and her views on the need for physical education equipment in schools (details supplied). [3469/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's records are held on a project by project basis and this information is not sub-divided in the format requested by the Deputy.

My Department fully recognises the crucial role of physical exercise within the school environment and continues to respond to the need to improve sporting facilities and in particular indoor facilities. It is the policy of my Department to consider the provision for physical education facilities in the design brief for new schools and major extensions to existing schools. A comprehensive equipment schedule is included in the funding package for such facilities, ranging from table-tennis sets to netball and indoor soccer equipment.

In addition, all primary schools receive an annual minor works grant from my Department and it is open to these school management authorities to use this devolved grant for the purchase of physical education equipment provided it is not required for more urgent works.