Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 1275: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on whether physical education comprises an essential part of the school curriculum; the progress which has been made in the application for the provision of a sports hall for a college (details supplied) in County Clare; when approval for the project will be granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1363/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I believe that a well planned physical education programme has a vitally important role to play in a broad and balanced curriculum for our primary and second level students.

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.

At second level, while physical education is not a mandatory subject, it should form part of the curriculum. The programme that each school plans and delivers should be based on my Department's approved syllabi, and the teaching hours should be registered on the school timetable. The time recommended for physical education is two hours per week.

The phasing in of a revised syllabus at junior cycle level for non-examination physical education commenced in September 2003. The syllabi at both primary and second level have been developed on the understanding that facilities available in schools vary. Consequently, they offer flexibility regarding the physical activities undertaken so that each individual school can design a programme that can be delivered using the resources and supports available to the school.

The school referred to by the Deputy has made an application for capital funding towards the provision of a PE hall. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria. The project is being considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme 2006-2010.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 1276: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the year in which syllabi for English and music at junior and leaving certificate level were first introduced; the years in which each was updated; if she intends to update any of those syllabi in the future; if so, when; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1413/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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At junior certificate level, the current syllabi for English at higher, ordinary and foundation levels were introduced in September 1989 and first examined in June 1992. At leaving certificate level, the current syllabi for English at higher and ordinary levels were introduced in September 1999 and first examined in June 2001.

The current syllabi for junior certificate music at higher and ordinary levels were introduced in September 1991 and first examined in June 1994. Regarding leaving certificate music, the current syllabi at higher and ordinary levels in were introduced in September 1997 and first examined in June 1999.

Full details of the current syllabi are published on my Department's website at www.education.ie. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, is reviewing junior certificate syllabi on a phased basis. Work on English and music is well advanced.

As a next step in advancing senior cycle reform, I have asked the NCCA to prioritise the reconfiguration of subjects generally within the leaving certificate to review content and learning outcomes, embed key skills, and to provide for a second assessment component. English will be in the first phase of subjects to be reviewed in that way.