James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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74. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the potential inclusion of golf within the physical education curriculum specification, striking/fielding games category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6405/24]

James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Minister for Education if a report will be given on the potential inclusion of golf in the curriculum for physical education, PE, specifically in the striking and fielding games territory, and if a statement will be provided to the Dáil on this matter. We have seen in recent years the success of Irish golfers, both North and South, and the Ryder Cup is coming to the country in the near future. Is this an indication that we could do more at an educational and sporting level to improve the situation?

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht an cheist thábhachtach seo. Leaving certificate examinable PE was launched on a phased basis in 2018 and was introduced at that point in 64 secondary schools. This was the first time physical education was recognised as an examinable subject for State certification purposes. The subject has been very well received, with 404 post-primary schools now offering the subject. There are ten topics set out under two strands in the leaving certificate PE specification. Strand 1 is towards optimum performance and strand 2 is contemporary issues in physical activity. Students' physical active participation is central to teaching and learning across strands 1 and 2 in leaving certificate PE.

To enable this to happen, students learn about the different theoretical perspectives through their engagement in three different physical activities. Each activity must be selected from one of six distinct physical activity areas, which reflect the activities most commonly included in school PE programmes currently. They are athletics; artistic and aesthetic activities; adventure activities; games; aquatics; and personal exercise and fitness. Students cannot choose more than one activity from each area.

There are three assessment components in leaving certificate PE, which are the physical activity project; the performance assessment; and a written examination. The physical activity project is one of three assessment components within leaving certificate PE. The physical activity project accounts for 20% of the marks available and is assessed at higher and ordinary level.

It is important to note that any physical activity area that has a national governing body recognised by Sport Ireland which complies with the definition of a competitive sport as outlined in the Irish Sports Council Act 1999, including golf, can be chosen as a physical activity area of study for the physical activity project. Students can select golf as the physical activity area for their physical activity project, once this choice is supported by their PE teacher and by the school. It should be noted that students must complete the physical activity project and the performance assessment in different physical activity areas. Golf is considered to fall under the games physical activity area. Therefore, if students choose golf from the games category, they must choose a different physical activity area to study for their performance assessment. As part of the senior cycle redevelopment, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, will convene a subject development group in the coming weeks to consider a range of additional modifications to the specification. As part of the work, the NCCA has been asked to ensure that the development group takes account of any relevant issues arising, including any necessary update.

James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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It is positive to hear that the Department is aware of the positive initiatives that could be enabled by working on this. The statistics do not tell a lie. Approximately a quarter of a million people come to Ireland from all over the world to play golf on our courses. That represents a huge opportunity to allow our young people to get skilled up in this area from an educational perspective. For that to be recognised as part of the curriculum would be very positive. There are more than 400 golf clubs in Ireland. In 2027, the Ryder Cup will be here. We have had such significant success for a country with such a small population in this sport. There are great merits from cultural, sporting and economic perspectives to providing young people with those skills, allowing them to take their sport seriously from an educational perspective and for that to be recognised from a curriculum perspective. From my perspective, it would be very positive.

I ask for that to be looked at by the Department.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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The NCCA process I mentioned is independent. I encourage people who are interested to engage with it. It would be great to see golf as fully part of the leaving certificate. We will host the Ryder Cup in 2027. Significant Government funding is going towards that. As well as the tourism and economic benefits of these events, I am very keen that there be a sporting participation benefit as well. I have met with golf clubs and Golf Ireland, and have tried to encourage them to get more involved with schools. I was very encouraged by the situation in Youghal, in the Deputy's constituency, when I visited. I have been telling people about the situation there where the golf club works very closely with the school to try to get young people to take up the sport. I welcome that and have been telling people throughout the country about that initiative. I want to see more of that. The Department of Education is very keen on that as well.

James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for his interest. I recognise the assistance he is providing through the sports capital programme. That has been very beneficial locally and nationally, especially in situations where schools work closely with community sports clubs.

The Minister of State referenced Youghal; I am delighted to hear that, as always. Fantastic work has been done in that town through its golf club working with Pobalscoil na Tríonóide and other local organisations to promote inclusion. There is a stigma around golf. It is a sport, unfortunately, that gets a bit of a tough time. The country needs to recognise, however, that our golfers have done exceptionally well at an international level, from captains of Ryder Cup teams to those who have gone on to win major tournaments all over the world. They have brought pride to the people of Ireland. The question today is around recognising the sport on the curriculum, at leaving certificate and other levels, and the positive benefits it may bring.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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I am very happy to let the NCCA do its process, which is independent, but I am keen to expand participation in all sports. That means very much encouraging our young people to take part in the sport of their choice.

Last weekend, I was at the rugby. This weekend, I will be meeting with some GAA organisations. Last week, I met the baton twirlers-----

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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-----which is a recognised sport. I know Deputy Ó Ríordáin thinks soccer is the only sport-----

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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-----but baton twirling is a fully recognised sport. The Deputy thinks there is only one sport.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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There are a range of sports. If we are serious about getting people to participate in sport, every single sport has to be used to encourage participation and get those numbers up to 60% of the adult population participating in sport. Golf is very much part of that. From what I saw in Youghal, and from what Deputy O'Connor discussed with me regarding the local golf club, we can have a situation where golf is accessible to children and young people in school. In my view, it can be very much part of the leaving certificate PE programme, which has been of the outstanding successes of the Department of Education over the past number of years.