Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools which now offer music to leaving certificate level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10751/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The latest information available to my Department on the number of schools offering specific subjects relates to the 2005/06 school year and 449 second-level schools offered music in senior cycle in 2005/06. The Deputy will be aware that the decision as to which subjects to offer is made at the level of the individual school, subject to compliance with my Department's regulations concerning provision of the core curriculum. Demand will of course depend on the number of students that want to take other subject options.

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress made to include road safety education on the curriculum particularly in second level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10654/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Road Safety Authority has already commenced work on a number of key areas including the development of a Road Safety programme for use in Transition Year. This work is being undertaken in co-operation with my Department and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.

I believe that schools have a role to play both in teaching students about road safety issues and in helping them to develop the attitudes necessary to promote safe behaviour on the roads.

The Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme, which is mandatory in primary schools and at junior cycle level, provides a framework under which the generic values and skills which underpin responsible decision-making, and respect for the rights and safety of others, can be developed and promoted among students. SPHE has a specific personal safety strand within the programme, and this provides a mechanism through which road safety issues for all can be best dealt with in an age appropriate way.

Specific materials for teaching young people about road safety have also been given to schools. At the start of the 2001/02 school year the National Safety Council, with assistance from my Department, distributed copies of Staying Alive — a road safety resource for Transition Year and the Senior Cycle — to all second level schools. This pack contained a wide range of learning opportunities and activities on topics such as personal responsibility and decision-making, environmental issues and risks and rules for road users. A CD-ROM with additional material downloaded from the Internet was included in the pack along with copies of the Rules of the Road. In the preparation of the Staying Alive resources material, views were sought from a range of organisations with interests in the promotion of road safety. Prior to its issue to second level schools, the material was piloted in 20 schools and the response from teachers in those schools was very positive. This is also supplemented by Garda visits to primary and second level schools during which the themes of crime, road safety, personal safety and substance abuse are explored as part of the SPHE programme. There were some 1900 school visits in 2005.

So, not only is there a curricular framework in place already in which the importance of road safety can be taught to our young people, but this is supplemented by specific teaching materials and by a comprehensive programme of Garda visits to schools.

My Department will continue to work with the Road Safety Authority to strengthen the role of schools in promoting road safety even further.