Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 305: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of applications received by her Department for physical education facilities for third level colleges or universities for each of the past five years; the number which were successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39407/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Physical educational facilities required by third level institutions are generally provided as part of multi-purpose facilities, as a component of a student centre/aula maxima or in conjunction with other recreational and leisure facilities. Given the aggregation of physical educational facilities with broader social and recreational facilities at third level institutions, it is not possible to provide precise information regarding applications for physical educational facilities at individual institutions. However, it is my understanding that most institutions have some form of physical recreational facilities.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 306: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of applications received by her Department to provide physical education facilities at post-primary, secondary or vocational schools under her Department's remit in each of the past five years; the number who were successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39408/05]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 307: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of applications received by her Department to provide physical education facilities at all national schools under her Department's remit in each of the past five years; then number of applications that were successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39409/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 306 and 307 together.

The information in the format requested by the Deputy is not readily available. However, with regard to physical education facilities generally, the physical education curriculum has been designed on the basis that facilities in schools may vary. Many primary schools have a general purpose room and practically all schools have outdoor play areas which are used for teaching different aspects of the physical education programme. A similar situation with sports halls and outdoor facilities applies at second level. In addition, many schools use adjacent local facilities, including public parks, playing fields and swimming pools.

My Department fully recognises the key role of physical exercise within the school environment and continues to respond to the need to improve physical education facilities. The provision of such facilities is an integral part of the design process for new school buildings or where an existing school building is undergoing a major refurbishment or extension. New physical equipment such as balancing benches and gym mats are funded as part of any major building programme.

In addition to this, the school planning section of my Department is working proactively with some local authorities to explore the possibility of the development of school provision in tandem with the development of community facilities. This enhanced co-operation has the effect of minimising my Department's land requirements and, thus, reducing site costs while, at the same time, providing local communities with new schools with enhanced facilities such as sports facilities, playing pitches and so forth. The Deputy may also be aware that the Department of Art, Sports and Tourism is currently undertaking a national audit of sports facilities in communities around the country, which will also provide useful information on facilities available to schools.