Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 640: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she intends to re-introduce the physical education grant for primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21940/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In October 2000, my Department introduced a physical education grant for all primary schools. Since the introduction of the scheme, the Department provided in excess of €5.5 million in grant aid to primary schools to enable schools provide coaching or mentoring in connection with physical education or to purchase associated resource materials.

Materials and equipment purchased by schools in previous years will generally be available to them for subsequent years. The question of restoring the grant will be kept under review as part of the normal Estimates process in the coming years.

I would, however, point out that schools may use their general capitation funding to support the implementation of curricula including physical education. Since 1997 the standard rate of capitation grant has been increased from €57.14 per pupil to €133.58 in the current year, an increase of almost 134% in the period.

The Deputy should also be aware that of the 151 additional projects announced last week for funding under the summer works 2005, 34 projects were for the provision or upgrade of play areas and PE halls.