Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I know of the Taoiseach's interest in education. It is something in which I, too, have taken a keen interest. We have reached a point where we need to consider having dedicated physical education, PE, teachers in primary schools. Such teachers could be shared among schools if the numbers in the schools are not particularly high. I ask for that to be done because the latest WHO figures show that 34% of five- to nine-year-olds are overweight or obese and, in terms of the rankings in that report, out of 53 European countries, Ireland's five-to nine-year-olds rank ninth in terms of obesity while ten- to 19-year-olds rank tenth. We have almost reached crisis point. A practical measure would be to have dedicated PE teachers. I know this is being considered in terms of the primary curriculum framework. Such teachers are in secondary schools. They should be put into primary schools. That could involve sharing such teachers among schools of smaller size. What is the view of the Taoiseach on that proposal?

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