Eamonn Coghlan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The document dates back some 50 years.It is quite a long time. This rule states that religious education is by far the most important part of the school curriculum. Currently, children spend 30 minutes per day, or two and a half hours per week, on religious education, which is incredible when one compares it with some other core subjects. Even physical education gets less than an hour per week.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is currently reviewing the national school curriculum with recommendations to be published some time next year. I call on the Minister to ensure that the time allocated to physical education is increased and that the manner in which it is delivered changed in line with the Points for Life initiative that was introduced in the Seanad and delivered in a pilot programme in 2013 and 2014 under the guidance of the Professional Development Service for Teachers. It is not just me requesting this. There are teachers, parents, coaches and many people in our community who unanimously agree that it should be done. We all know about the value and importance of physical education in a child's development and overall well-being. It is now time to do something about it and I believe this is the way we can go forward. I call for a debate on this issue at some time in the near future.