Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he is satisfied that enough is being done to promote healthy eating in schools. [26342/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The subjects Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) and Physical Education (PE), cover, among elements of the syllabus, the areas of healthy eating, healthy lifestyle, physical health, body care, exercise, relaxation and diet. The concepts of 'Balanced Eating' and 'Healthy Exercise' underlie the Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle syllabi in the Home Economics curriculum at post-primary level.

Considerable progress has been made by my Department in the promotion of healthy eating in schools. This includes, inter alia:

Schools have worked on devising healthy lunches policies as part of Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) and Physical Education (PE).

The Post-Primary School Development Planning Initiative (SDPI) has a number of activities in place to promote healthy living in schools.

The SPHE Support Service offers support for policy development which includes healthy eating policies.

The Primary Curriculum Support Programme (PCSP) and the School Development Planning Support (SDPS) service have prepared planning templates (with prompts) for schools to assist them in school planning for the implementation of PE curriculum and the wider aspects of physical activity and school sport.

The majority of schools currently participating in the School Completion Programme, under the DEIS action plan, operate breakfast clubs or other meal provision, in accordance with nutritional guidelines issued by the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

Schools are also encouraged to promote a whole school approach to SPHE which engages the school community, parents and students in implementing strategies to promote healthy lifestyles, building on the success of the 'Health Promoting School' initiative.

In addition, my Department has, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children, prepared a publication promoting Healthy Eating Policy in second-level schools. This book complements the earlier publications on Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Pre-Schools, and Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Primary Schools, published by the Health Promotion Unit of the Department of Health and Children.

My Department also participates in initiatives such as National Healthy Eating Week, which is promoted by the Department of Health and Children in co-operation with my Department and the Association of Teachers of Home Economics. It is a themed week during which activities to promote the concept of healthy eating to the whole school are organised and delivered through the medium of Home Economics including cookery demonstrations, projects, and displays.