Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, further to her reply to Parliamentary Question No. 491 of 6 March 2007, the number of primary schools with access to a qualified physical education teacher; the number of secondary schools which employ at least one qualified PE teacher full-time; the number of primary schools that do not have access to a qualified PE teacher; the number of secondary schools that do not employ a qualified PE teacher; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28473/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of PE teachers employed in second level schools is not readily available within my Department. Teacher allocations for second level schools are approved by my Department on an annual basis in accordance with generally applied rules based on recognised pupil enrolments on the 30th of September of the preceding school year. Each school management authority is required to organise its curriculum, teaching time-table and subject options having regard to pupils' needs within the limits of its approved teacher allocation. The appointment of teachers to posts within the approved quota is a matter for the authorities of the schools concerned.

At primary level, Physical Education is one of the seven curriculum areas and is an intrinsic element of 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. All qualified Primary teachers are qualified to teach the full spectrum of the Primary Curriculum including Physical Education.