Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the grants available under any scheme for the purchasing of small items of equipment for outdoor activity with children who are involved in FÁS schemes or disadvantaged schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40065/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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My Department is committed to the provision, maintenance and modernisation of physical education and physical activity facilities in our schools for our children and young people. In a new school building or refurbishment/extension, PE facilities are included as an intrinsic part of the design. While my Department currently has no specific grant schemes in place to provide funding for the purchase of outdoor equipment, primary schools received €2,000 each in PE equipment grants in 2006, at a total cost of €6.5 million. A similar grant of €4,000 per school, at an overall cost of around €3 million, issued to post-primary schools in 2007. In 2010 grant aid in excess of €16m issued to both primary and post-primary schools to allow each school address its own specific PE and outdoor equipment needs. It is also open to primary schools to use their annual minor works grant to purchase items of furniture and/or equipment. Individual primary schools received a grant in the sum of €5,500 plus €18.50 per pupil for the current school year.