Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 703: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will establish a time scale for the introduction of physical education as an examination subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15626/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools, all second-level schools should provide Physical Education as part of the curriculum. The programme that each school plans and delivers should be based on my Department's approved syllabuses and the teaching hours should be registered in the school timetable. The syllabuses have been developed on the basis of a time allocation of two hours per week.

A revised syllabus in physical education as a non examinable subject at junior cycle was introduced in post-primary schools in September 2003 and implemented on a phased basis over the period to 2005. No implementation dates have been set as yet for further reforms in this area.

This Government has worked hard to improve the opportunities for young people to get physical exercise both in school and in their local communities. In a new school building or refurbishment/extension, PE facilities are included as part of the design, and new PE equipment such as balancing benches and gym mats are funded as part of any major building programme.

A special PE funding package of €3 million issued to post-primary schools in 2007, providing a grant of €4,000 per school towards the cost of replacing and upgrading PE equipment. This grant was issued, as a once-off measure, to enable schools to replace older equipment such as goalposts, PE mats, benches etc.

So, through an increased focus on exercise in school and in the community, we are working to encourage more children and young people to get active. Indeed, the second 'State of the Nation's Children' report launched recently by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs found that children in Ireland are doing well on physical activity, ranking first across the 41 participating countries in being physically active for at least four hours per week.