Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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542. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if it is open to schools to apply for one off funding for developing a play space facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4896/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The provision of playspace, where site conditions and circumstances allow, is one of the issues considered in the architectural design of new schools and major extensions. My Department's design guidelines for schools include guidance in the provision of P.E. Halls, general purpose rooms and outdoor hard play areas such as basketball courts.

I wish to assure the Deputy that my Department fully recognises the key role of physical exercise within the school environment and continues to respond to the need to improve PE facilities for all pupils attending schools within the constraints of the available funding.

I also wish to advise the Deputy that the Physical Education 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 P.E. 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.

In December 2014, the Minor Works Grant issued to all primary schools for the school year 2014/2015 at a cost of over €28 million and it is open to schools to use this funding for the development of a play facility.

Where schools are unable to address all issues arising on an incremental basis, it is open to the school authority to apply for funding for developing play space under the Summer Works Scheme.

The Deputy will be aware that spending of more than €70 million was approved for the 2014 Summer Works Scheme to allow over 770 schools undertake improvement works. This allowed for the funding of applications received under categories 1-6. Schools which had applied under categories 7-10 were advised that their applications would be retained for prioritisation if funding for further summer works projects could be secured for 2015.