Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In fairness, I acknowledge that excellent work is ongoing in our schools regarding healthy eating and well-being. There is significant engagement by schools in this area. Our students are heavily involved, not just at secondary level but also at primary level where there are healthy eating promotions. This all falls under the well-being aspect too. We are conscious of that. The promotion of health, well-being and fitness in our schools has progressed positively. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, we have put in place significant well-being toolkits and increased the provision of guidance, pastoral care plans and teams. All that activity looks beyond the traditional classroom and subjects that have been taught towards a wider and more holistic experience.

I acknowledge that element of the breadth of vision has always been in our schools. The staff in our schools have always been forward-thinking and holistically-minded when it comes to our students. That may not always have been named or tagged with the language we use now. The Department is entirely committed to resourcing well-being initiatives and to supporting schools. From primary level and right into secondary level, schools have been rolling out these types of initiatives for healthy eating plans.