Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to confirm to the Deputy that the majority of schools have a general purpose room / Physical Education hall and practically all schools have outdoor play areas. In addition, many schools, use adjacent local facilities, including community halls, public parks, playing fields and swimming pools.

Investment and expenditure on sports facilities is an element of the overall expenditure and investment in the School Building Programme. The provision of outdoor play areas form part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings or where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school.

The Department has to prioritise its limited capital resources, in the context both of the ongoing requirement for additional school places (including places for pupils with special education needs) and the high construction inflation which has significantly impacted on the cost of projects that we must deliver. As part of its planning for the years ahead, my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures and ongoing deficits in school accommodation.