Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond. I will offer further background on the question I have raised. I have been contacted by PE instructors who have run courses in primary schools for a number of years. I have been told by the schools that in recent times they are finding it difficult to access funding for such schemes. My understanding is these courses have been very popular with schools, students and parents alike. The courses teach very young children fundamental movements such as how to run, hop, jump, throw, catch, skip, strike and dodge, which are the basis of many physical activities and contribute to the development of agility, balance, co-ordination and speed. The feedback has been very positive. As the Minister of State will appreciate, we need to do all we can to ensure that our children remain active and healthy.Courses such as these are an important cog in the wheel and must be encouraged. I look forward to the Minister of State’s response.