Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when she expects physical education to become a recognised subject on both the junior and leaving certificate curriculum; the difficulties preventing the inclusion of PE on the curriculum starting in 2008; the steps she is taking to overcome these problems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28857/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools, all second-level schools should offer Physical Education as part of the curriculum. The programme should be based on the Department's approved syllabuses and teaching hours should be registered on the school timetable. The syllabuses in Physical Education have been developed on the basis of a time allocation of two hours per week.

The phasing in of a revised Physical Education syllabus (non-examination) at Junior Cycle level commenced in September 2003. The Junior Cycle Physical Education Support Service has been in place since then to support teachers in the implementation of this syllabus. The programme includes adventure activities, aquatics, athletics, dance, invasion games, net and fielding games, gymnastics and health related activity. The Physical Education Programme in senior cycle is set out in the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools, and is constructed across 5 areas: that students be given the opportunity to follow programmes in an optional area; to specialise in a PE area which has been taken at junior cycle; to undertake new activities; to undertake a personal fitness and health programme; and to receive training in sports Leadership.

The Programme for Government contains commitments to make PE mandatory at second level, put a revised PE curriculum for senior cycle students in place and examine the potential to introduce second level examinations in PE. The timescale for progression of these commitments will depend on a number of factors, including the availability of resources. Specific difficulties that must be considered as part of the examination of the potential to introduce examinations in PE include the nature and type of assessment which would be appropriate and equity in access to facilities. This matter also needs to be considered in the context of the broader proposals for senior cycle reform put forward by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.