James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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81. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when she will approve funding to improve a secondary school playing pitch (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31834/14]

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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82. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will approve funding for sports facilities in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31835/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 82 together.

An all-in devolved grant was recently approved for the second school to which the Deputy refers in order to provide two additional resource classrooms. This decision was conveyed to the school authorities by letter in May 2014.

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department's over-riding objective is to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers. This will continue to be the main focus for capital investment by my Department in the coming years. While my Department will continue to provide additional and improved classroom accommodation in our schools, it is not currently in a position within available funding to consider applications from schools for upgrading works to playing pitches and the provision of sporting facilities.