Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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156. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will consider incorporating an all-weather, multi-use sports pitch in conjunction with their new build for a school build (details supplied), which has full planning permission, to streamline the process, take advantage of economies of scale and ensure that the new school is delivered as a completed project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37345/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects. The brief for the project is to provide a new build replacement school for a long-term projected enrolment of 1,000 pupils including a 4 class SEN base.

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. In addition, my Department provides funding toward the provision of furniture and equipment including PE equipment in both primary and post-primary schools. In relation to post-primary schools, where my Department provides a sports hall as part of a building project, the equipment provided forms part of the overall furniture and equipment grant to that school.

In addition, my Department’s Design Guidelines for all new schools provides for outdoor multi use games areas (hard play areas) and the level of play space provided varies with the size of school. For example, a new 24 classroom primary school with Special Education Needs classes is provided with 3 ball courts (1,755m² in total), 2 junior play areas (600m² in total), as well as Secure hard and soft play area (300m²) and a 100m² Sensory Garden. In respect of new post-primary schools, a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school will be provided with 6 ball courts (3,060m² in total) and a 200m² secure hard and soft special education play area. At post primary level, an area may be developed as a practice playing field where site conditions and resources permit. In relation to the outdoor physical education spaces referred to in the Deputy’s question, Department officials have engaged with both the NDFA and school authorities in order to deliver the optimum design for the school.

As the Deputy is aware, the project with the above brief received full planning permission in Quarter 1 2024. The project is currently in the final stages of Stage 2b and when this stage has been finalised and approved, the next stage is tendering for a contractor and then onwards to construction in due course.

While at this early stage it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the projects, the NDFA will be engaging directly with the school authorities to keep them informed of progress.