Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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399. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the roll out of the PE hall build and modernisation programme outlined in Project Ireland 2040 is to commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14936/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to confirm to the Deputy that investment and expenditure on PE Halls is an element of the overall School Building Programme. Almost 95% of the post primary schools that made 2020 Annual Schools Returns have indicated to the Department that they either have a PE Hall, access to a nearby PE Hall, or a project in train that will deliver a new PE Hall which can be used as a sports facility.

As the Deputy will be aware, investment and expenditure on PE Halls is an element of the overall expenditure and investment in the School Building Programme. The provision of General Purpose (GP) rooms and PE Halls, at primary and post primary level respectively, form part of a suite of ancillary facilities as well as outdoor hard play areas, provided as part of new school buildings or where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school.

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 particularly at post-primary level and for provision to meet the needs of children with special educational needs. The Deputy will appreciate that the immediate priority of my Department is continued strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision.

Under Project Ireland 2040 the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. There will be a rolling 5 year funding envelope which will be updated annually for the period 2026 to 2030 within the Government’s overall NDP funding envelope of €136 billion in exchequer capital (€165 billion total capital including non-Exchequer) that will facilitate building a modern and sustainable school infrastructure.

This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. The strengthened focus on refurbishment of existing school stock will have different strands and will include a PE build and modernisation programme which will enable students in post-primary schools to have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision, particularly also in the context of the roll-out of PE as a leaving-certificate subject. Enhanced and modernised PE facilities will also provide important amenities for local communities.

My Department will continue to work to ensure that capital investment in our schools is targeted in the most efficient and effective way to support schools in meeting the education needs of their students and local communities.

Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.gov.ieand this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.