Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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104. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools that have applied to the school capital grants scheme; the number of schools that have been granted funding under the scheme for works on a physical education or gym hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13650/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the provision of PE Halls form part of the accommodation brief for all newly established schools. These facilities may also form part of the overall accommodation brief for major capital extensions to existing schools. Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website, www.education.ieand this information is updated regularly. All applications approved under my Department's additional accommodation scheme (ASA) is also available on the Department's website.

The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. The second half of the NDP (from 2023 onwards) will see an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock. This will include a PE Hall build and modernisation programme to ensure that ##students in all post-primary schools have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision.

The immediate priority of my Department is providing new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place.