§ Mr. MacKayTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures she is taking to retain existing playing fields for school use and to expand such facilities. [32563]
§ Mr. WorthingtonThis approval of the Department of Education for Northern Ireland is required for the disposal of school playing fields. Such approval would not be given if the facilities were required to enable schools to meet curriculum responsibilities.
The Lottery Sports Fund's "Dual Use School Sports Initiative" enables schools and other educational institutions to apply for funding towards the development of sporting facilities which would be available also for regular use by the local community.