David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 275: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her policy, if any, regarding the provision of playing fields and general purpose or sports halls in new primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28806/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Department is committed to funding the provision of general purpose rooms 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 published criteria for prioritising school building projects.

The provision of GP rooms but not playing pitches is part of the specification for primary schools. However, in certain circumstances and where the site conditions allow, the project scope may include the levelling and grassing of an area which schools may decide to use for playing fields. The Department's design guidelines for primary schools include guidance on the provision of general purpose rooms and outdoor hard play areas such as basketball courts. The size of these facilities would be dependent on the size of the new school being built.