AQW 42679/22-27


Mr Eóin Tennyson
Alliance Party
Upper Bann


Tabled Date: 18/03/2026
Answered On Date: 25/03/2026
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 41470/22-27, to detail the minimum outdoor play area requirements in square metres, that primary schools are expected to provide, including the minimum areas for (i) hard play space; (ii) informal grass play space; and (iii) any other outdoor learning or play areas as defined in Appendix 2 of the Primary Schools Building Handbook (Edition 3, 2020), given that these figures do not appear in the main body of the Handbook and are essential for assessing compliance and for planning school facilities.


Answer:
The minimum areas for hard play space, informal grass play space and site size are detailed in Appendix 2 of the Primary Schools’ Building Handbook, which is available for reference on the Department’s website.
The table below provides information regarding the recommended play areas for primary shools.
Enrolment
Number Category
Class Rooms
Hard Play m2
Informal Grass Play m2
Recommended
Minimum Site
Area (Hectares)
91-120
4
650
3,000
0.63
121-150
5
800
3,000
0.67
151-180
6
930
5.000
0.95
181-210
7
1.100
5.000
1.00
211-240
8
1.250
5,000
1.04
241-270
9
1.400
5.000
1.08
271-300
10
1.550
5.000
1.11
301-330
11
1.700
7.000
1.38
331-360
12
1.850
7.000
1.43
361-390
13
2.000
7.000
1.47
391-420
14
2.150
7.000
1.51
421-450
15
2.300
7.000
1.55
451-480
16
2.450
7.000
1.59
481-510
17
2.600
7.000
1.62
511-540
18
2.750
7.000
1.66
541-570
19
2.900
10,000
1.99
571-600
20
3.050
10,000
2.03
601-630
21
3.200
10,000
2.08
631-660
22
3.350
10,000
2.12
661-690
23
3.500
10,000
2.16
691-720
24
3.650
10,000
2.21
721-750
25
3.800
10,000
2.25
751-780
26
3.950
10,000
2.29
781-810
27
4.100
10,000
2.34
811-840
28
4.250
10,000
2.38