Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 796: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, in view of the recent funds made available to Mayo schools, the reason for the failure to allocate funds to provide a sports hall to a school (details supplied) in County Mayo, in view of the fact that it is waiting over 25 years for this essential facility; when funds will be made available; when this school can expect to commence use of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10906/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware from my previous responses on this issue, my Department is committed to funding the provision of PE, general purpose and outdoor play areas in schools as part of the school building and modernisation programme. This is being addressed in the context of available resources and the published criteria for prioritising school building projects.

The provision of PE halls at post-primary level is considered an integral part of the design stage for any major refurbishment programme of existing school buildings, providing always that the site is of sufficient size, or where a new school on a greenfield site is being built.

All applications received in the Department are banded in accordance with the prioritisation criteria put in place following consultation with the education partners. The PE hall project at the school referred to by the Deputy has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria and the project is being considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2006-10. The project is not suitable for delivery under the summer works scheme or under any of the recently announced devolved schemes.