To ask the Minister of Education to confirm whether there is a small capital grants programme for schools to apply to for sports equipment for PE and afterschool activities.

There are no specific small capital grants programmes for schools to apply for sports equipment for PE and afterschool activities.

All grant aided schools are funded under the Common Funding Scheme in accordance with the Local Management of Schools arrangements. One of the key principles of the Scheme is that the formula should support schools in delivering the curriculum including Physical Education. Schools are therefore responsible for meeting the cost of delivering the curriculum from within their delegated budgets.