Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools that have facilities to provide field sports as part of their school complexes; the number that lease or have agreements with sporting clubs to provide such facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5954/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The information is not readily available in the format requested by the Deputy. However, with regard to physical education facilities in schools generally, the physical education curriculum has been designed on the basis that facilities in schools may vary. Many primary schools have a general purposes room and practically all schools have outdoor play areas which are utilised for teaching different aspects of the physical education programme. 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. In this regard, the provision of multi-purpose space and outdoor play areas for primary schools will continue to be considered within the design brief for new schools and for renovation or extension projects. This will be done in the context of available resources and the published criteria for prioritising school building projects.

The Deputy may also be aware that the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism is currently undertaking a national audit of sports facilities in communities around the country which will provide useful information on facilities available to schools.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to increase class periods of time for physical education instruction at primary, secondary and third level schools or colleges; if she is satisfied with the current periods of time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5955/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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At primary level, physical education is one of seven curriculum areas within the revised primary school curriculum which was introduced in 1999. It recommends a minimum of one hour of physical education per week for all classes. As part of the phased introduction of the primary school curriculum, the delivery of in-service training to teachers around the content and methodologies of the physical education curriculum began during the 2004/05 school year and will be completed this year. Additional days are provided to schools to facilitate planning for the introduction of this curriculum area. All primary schools will be expected to implement the physical education curriculum from September 2006.

In accordance with the rules and programme for secondary schools, all second level schools should provide physical education as part of the curriculum. The programme that each school delivers should be based on the Department's approved syllabi and the teaching hours should be registered on the school timetable. The syllabi have been developed on the basis of a time allocation of two hours per week.

The phasing in of a revised physical education curriculum for junior cycle commenced in September 2003. The junior cycle physical education support service has been in place since then to support teachers in the implementation of this curriculum.

Physical education is an integral part of the leaving certificate applied programme. All leaving certificate applied programme students must take two modules, leisure studies and health related fitness and there are four additional modules from which they can make further choices.

The physical education curricula at both primary and second level have been developed on the understanding that facilities available to schools vary. Consequently, they offer a level of flexibility that allows each individual school to design a programme that can be delivered using the resources and supports available to it. Apart from the formal curricula, schools can take a range of measures to encourage physical activity among students during the school day and many provide extensive, broad-based programmes of co-curricular physical activities that are highly rewarding for both pupils and teachers alike. In particular, schools play a major role in nurturing and promoting the involvement of students in sporting activities in the wider community. Sports organisations such as the Gaelic Athletic Association, Basketball Ireland and the Football Association of Ireland provide extensive opportunities for such participation.

Third level courses do not include physical education unless as part of a designated course.