Transcript:
Deputy Patrick Costello
Our Lady of Hope school in Crumlin caters for children with autism and general learning disabilities. It was opened after a long and gruelling campaign by local parents. However, when capital funding was made available for the establishment of the school, it did not provide for any indoor physical education, PE, space and the school still has no indoor space for PE. We are dealing with young people who already face challenges in accessing services. They are now being denied the ability to have any sort of physical education. I ask the Tánaiste to ask the Minister for Education to intervene directly here to ensure that these children, who already face challenges and exclusion, are not excluded from getting PE classes.
The Tánaiste
Just to clarify, when was the school built?
Deputy Patrick Costello
The school was newly established a number of years ago in an older school building. Capital funding was made available for the refurbishment of some of the classrooms—–
The Tánaiste
It is not a new school building—–
Deputy Patrick Costello
No, it is not a new school building.
The Tánaiste
I asked because in the design for any new school building there would be a PE hall. That is why I was seeking clarification as to whether it was a brand new school because there has to be provision for PE. I do not know the circumstances of the building and the refurbishment. I will talk to the Minister for Education in relation to that but PE is very important.