Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 580: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the fact that physical activity is part of the primary school syllabus, he is required to fund the cost of swimming classes in public swimming pools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2969/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department does not provide specific grants to primary schools to fund swimming classes.

I intend to streamline the different grant schemes that provide funding to primary and post-primary schools, both for ease of administration and to ensure that school management has greater autonomy over the funding provided.

Therefore, capitation funding provided for general running costs and funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services may be regarded as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities. In due course, both grant schemes will be merged. In the interim, both grants will continue to be paid according to existing timelines and calculated separately as heretofore.

Primary schools may use this funding to support the implementation of the curriculum, including Physical Education.