Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 490: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary and post-primary schools that have no recreational facilities; the number that have no playground; the number of schools that lack a principal's and secretary's office; the number of schools that are not in actual facilities built as schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3439/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The information is not readily available in the format requested by the Deputy. In relation to PE facilities throughout the country generally, 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. 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.

The Department fully recognises the key role of physical exercise within the school environment and continues to respond to the need to improve PE and recreational facilities. The provision of such facilities is an integral part of the architectural design process for new school buildings, extensions and/or refurbishments as is the provision of ancillary accommodation to meet administration and other requirements.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 492: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the conditions at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; the position regarding the situation; the future plans for the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3441/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Department is fully aware of the need to provide a solution to the long term accommodation needs of the school to which the Deputy refers. In this regard, it is the Department's intention to permanently accommodate the school in a building which it expects to be vacated post an amalgamation of three other primary schools.

The Department will be corresponding with all of the schools concerned shortly with schedules of accommodation to underpin its proposals and details of the next steps to progress this matter.