Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her policy on the provision of physical education in the primary school system here in view of the alarming increase in obesity levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27699/05]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her policy on the reduction of obesity in the primary school system here in view of the alarming statistics outlined in the obesity forum report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27698/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 72 together.

At primary level, physical education is one of the seven curriculum areas within the primary school curriculum which was revised in 1999. A minimum of one hour of physical education per week is recommended for all primary school pupils. The curriculum has been structured to allow individual schools a high degree of flexibility and choice in the planning of a broad and balanced physical education programme for pupils, and includes six broad strands featuring athletics, dance, gymnastics, games, outdoor and adventure activities and aquatics. A programme of in-service training in physical education is being provided between 2004-05 and 2005-06 to support the full implementation of the curriculum in 2006-07. My Department is committed to funding the provision of physical education, general purpose and outdoor play areas in schools as part of the schools' capital investment programme.

A curriculum in social personal and health education, SPHE, is a mandatory part of all programmes for primary students and its implementation is also being assisted by a full-time support service. The programme begins in the infant classes and specifically addresses the need for regular exercise and examines food and nutrition issues and the need for a balanced diet. The objective is that by fifth and sixth class, students will be equipped to take responsibility for making wise food choices and adopting a healthy balanced diet and, in that context, exploring and examining the food pyramid.

Measures can be taken to encourage physical activity during school breaks and schools play a major role in nurturing and promoting the involvement of students in sporting activities in the wider community. Sports organisations such as the Gaelic Athletic Association, Basketball Ireland and the Football Association of Ireland provide extensive opportunities for schools to participate in sport.

The Irish Sports Council, in co-operation with bodies such as the FAI and local sports partnerships, has developed a national Buntús primary schools initiative through which additional supports such as training, resource cards and equipment are provided to support teachers and others in introducing young people to sport and to complement the physical education curriculum. The initiative aims to raise the profile of physical activity and sport, improve in-service training opportunities for teachers, assist governing bodies of sport to develop and deliver appropriate supports for teachers and provide enjoyable and meaningful activity for children which supports the delivery of the curriculum.

Together, these initiatives ensure children not only get opportunities to exercise at school but also learn about balanced nutrition and making good food choices. Schools are playing their part in the battle to tackle childhood obesity. However, children only spend 20% of their time at school and a healthy home environment is vital to ensuring they do not suffer from obesity.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister consider making physical education compulsory at both primary and post-primary level rather than just recommend it? Has she concerns regarding the training of teachers, given that full-time physical education teachers are not employed at primary level? Has she read the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Science which recommends full-time physical education teachers, even on a clustering basis, at primary level? Has she given thought to providing a dedicated period of investment in sporting facilities in primary schools, as was done for information technology in the past?

Does the Minister share my concern that schools should not be dependent on sports organisations which promote their own sports? The curriculum is broader than that but a number of schools are reliant on sports organisations because of the lack of provision of facilities by the Department.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Schools were asked to use their physical education halls as classrooms under the building programme over recent years when they needed extra classrooms. Has that practice stopped? If not, will the Minister stop it?

Jamie Oliver was on the airwaves earlier. When will meals be provided in schools as a matter of course, similar to Britain?

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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No, I do not envisage Jamie Oliver entering the school system. However, I envisage capital investment in schools, which amounts to €500 million this year, will provide for the construction of new schools and extensions as well as physical education halls and outdoor play areas. For example, outdoor play areas were upgraded under the summer works scheme this year.

Every primary teacher is being trained in the new school curriculum as part of in-service training. The curriculum is broad so that the needs of girls, in particular, who are reluctant to take up physical education and sports, particularly at second level, can be met. New physical education halls are fitted with fitness suites because they are attractive for girls. We are tackling the issue in a number of ways. However, children spend 20% of their time in schools. Parents need to take responsibility for obesity among their children.