Eamonn Coghlan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the comments from the Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar, yesterday, who suggested that schools spend more time on exercise and sport as part of a review for the well-being programmes in education. The launch of the life skills survey for primary and secondary schools took place yesterday. The Minister said: "I want to see more schools spending more time on physical activity ... The earlier we can get young people to be active, the better." Three and a half years ago we launched the Points for Life initiative under the auspices of the professional development services for teachers and the education centres. This pilot programme, which was completed last year, was a great success and it indicated to us all what we already know. When I launched that initiative and spoke about it in the House three and a half years ago, my point was that it begins at the foundation level, particularly in primary schools. We have to nip this issue in the bud.

As late as yesterday afternoon I met the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, the leaders of the professional development services for teachers and the leaders of the national physical activity plan, who all agree we have to do something about it. I am pleased to say that with the Department of Education and Skills and the professional development services for teachers, a programme is under way which will upskill teachers in schools to work with children in the foundation skills. Unfortunately, this takes an awful lot of time. It is very slow. There are many bureaucratic hurdles to overcome. It has to be not only a schools approach but a community and a parental approach.

I am calling for a cross-departmental approach and for this to be taken seriously. I call for a debate in the House with representatives from the Departments of Education and Skills, Health, Children and Youth Affairs, Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Transport, Tourism and Sport on the issue of supporting teachers and schools who are in dire need of the programmes being implemented. As it has gone beyond time for debating the issue, it is now time for action. If the Government wants to take the issue seriously, we need a cross-departmental debate on the issue.