Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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539. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools that currently do not have a physical education hall. [5979/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The specific information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, 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 Physical Education 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 post primary schools have a P.E. hall and practically all schools have outdoor play areas which are used for teaching different aspects of the P.E. programme. In addition, many schools use adjacent local facilities, including public parks, playing fields and swimming pools.

The provision of play space, 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