Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 526: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on the statement that physical education is not mandatory in national schools here due to the fact that physical education teachers are not available; if this is the case, the steps which are being taken to address this shortfall. [9010/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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At primary level, physical education is one of the seven curriculum areas and is an intrinsic element of the primary school curriculum which was revised in 1999. A minimum of one hour of physical education per week is recommended for all primary school pupils. All qualified primary teachers are qualified to teach the full spectrum of the primary curriculum, including physical education.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 527: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on the statement that physical education is not mandatory in national schools here due to the fact that schools do not have adequate sports facilities; and if she will report on the action which is being taken to address this shortfall. [9011/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 529: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if an inventory and assessment has been carried out on school gymnasium halls to determine if they are up to European standards for physical education in national schools here. [9013/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 527 and 529 together.

The position in respect of physical education facilities in primary schools generally is that 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. 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 major refurbishment. New physical education 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 etc. The Deputy may also be aware that the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism is undertaking a national audit of sports facilities in communities around the country, which will also provide useful information on facilities available to schools.

The Government has never underestimated the scale of the task and the level of capital funding and other resources required to rectify decades of under investment in school infrastructure. In this regard, since taking office, it has invested in the largest school building programme in the history of the State. Between 1998 and the end of 2004, almost €2 billion was invested in school buildings and in the region of 7,500 large and small projects were completed in schools, including 130 brand new schools and 510 large-scale refurbishments-extensions. Indeed, funding for school building and renovation projects has increased fivefold since 1997. In 2006, €491 million will be spent on school building projects, compared to just €92 million in 1997. This, in its own right, is an increase of over 9% in real terms on the 2005 allocation.

As the Deputy will be aware, at the end of last year, I outlined my spending plans for plans for primary and post-primary schools for 2006. With €491 million to be spent on schools buildings, there will be over 1,300 projects active in schools all over the country. This significant investment will allow me to continue to progress our major programme of school building and modernisation.

The Government is fully committed to continuing its work to consolidate the substantial progress that has already been made so that the accommodation needs of all our schools are met as both expeditiously as possible and to the highest standard possible.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 528: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if an inventory has been done of the sports equipment available for physical education in national schools here; if an assessment has been done as to age and quality of equipment and appropriateness to the needs of primary schools; and the funding which is required to bring the equipment up to acceptable standards. [9012/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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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 for all pupils attending primary and post-primary schools. 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 major refurbishment. In primary schools, new physical education equipment, such as balancing benches and gym mats, are funded as part of any major building programme.

Regarding specific sports equipment grants, my Department has provided in excess of €5.5 million in grant aid to primary schools specifically for this purpose to enable them to provide coaching or mentoring in connection with physical education or to purchase resource materials associated with the provision of physical education.

Schools may use their general capitation funding to support the implementation of curricula, including physical education. In addition, all primary schools with permanent recognition receive an annual minor works grant from my Department. Each school gets a standard rate of €3,809 together with a per pupil rate of €12.70. Special schools and schools with special classes receive an enhanced per pupil rate of €50.80. It is open to school management authorities to use this devolved grant for the purchase of equipment, including physical education equipment, provided it is not required for more urgent works. Primary schools that establish a class for special needs pupils receive a once-off grant of €6,500 per class to purchase equipment, including physical education equipment, that they feel best meets the needs of the pupils attending the class. My Department also considers applications for additional grant aid for such equipment where schools can demonstrate that the minor works grant funding is insufficient for this purpose.