Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has plans to introduce sports science as a second level subject to Leaving Certificate level, including the study of dietetics, physiology, anatomy, and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41141/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I have no plans at present to introduce sports science as a subject in the Leaving Certificate. All schools are already required to implement a physical education programme which provides options across a range of athletics, games, dance, gymnastics, aquatics and health and fitness activities. The importance of nutrition and healthy exercise are also stressed in the Social Personal and Health Education Programme in primary schools and in junior cycle, and in the Home Economics and Biology syllabuses. Human reproduction, the musculo-skeletal system, nervous, circulatory, endocrine, digestive, breathing, excretory, and cardiovascular systems are dealt with as part of the Biology syllabus.

As part of its proposals for reform of senior cycle, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment proposed the development of a range of short courses, two of which might be studied in place of a senior cycle subject in the Leaving Certificate. Sports Studies was included among the areas where a short course was proposed. My Department made no decision on the future of short courses, but asked instead that the Council might develop exemplars so that the implementation implications could be explored. We do not have the scope for introducing Short Courses in senior cycle at present, but the matter will be kept under continuing review.