Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools with a playing pitch; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19859/06]

Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools with a sports hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19858/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 88 together.

The position in relation to PE facilities in primary schools generally is that the PE 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 PE 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.

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 cooperation 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 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.

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. However the Government's record school building programme is delivering modern school accommodation, including sports facilities, in schools throughout the country.