1255. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on her Department’s work to develop a programme specifically for schools to build and modernise PE and school sports facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61768/26]

I can confirm to the Deputy that investment and expenditure on sports facilities in both primary and post-primary schools is an element of the overall expenditure and investment in the School Building Programme.

GP Rooms and PE Halls are included in the construction of all new primary and post-primary schools, respectively. Currently, approximately 90% of post-primary schools have indicated that they either have access to a PE Hall or have one on-site, with a further 5% having projects in the pipeline that will deliver such facilities. At primary level, around 70% of schools have reported having access to a GP Room, while an additional 2.5% have projects planned to provide one. These facilities play a vital role not only in supporting physical education but also in strengthening community infrastructure—particularly in developing areas where access to social amenities may be limited.

The Deputy will be aware that I have published the €7.55 billion NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030. A key part of NDP rollout is the completion of circa 300 school building projects currently in construction. The majority of these projects are expected to be completed in 2026 and will deliver over 30,000 school places in total including 14 PE halls.

Progress will continue to be made under the NDP Investment Plan on both new and modernised PE Hall and GP Room provision as part of the rollout of new schools and large-scale projects in the existing pipeline. Funding will be invested to support curricular delivery and well-being across schools which will prioritise the development of PE halls and sporting facilities (including yards and play areas) in conjunction with the Sports Capital Fund to deliver for both schools and communities.

Additional initiatives to be rolled out over the course of the 2026 to 2030 NDP period include a PE Hall programme targeting post-primary schools that do not yet have dedicated PE Hall facilities, for delivery from 2029 onwards.