Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 255: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills, further to Parliamentary Question No. 159 of 12 April 2011, if he will reconsider the matter in view of the fact that the relevant organisation is not seeking funding but instead seeks official recognition from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9718/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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My Department has no objection to schools participating in the Junk Kouture initiative, should they wish to do so. As stated in Parliamentary Question No. 159, which was answered on 12 April 2011, the initiative supports aspects of the Art Craft and Design, Home Economics, Civic Social and Political Education, Science, Business and Social and Environmental studies aspects of the curriculum in second level schools. Overall, education for sustainable development and environmental awareness and care are significant themes underpinning many subjects within the curriculum in our schools.

These issues also feature in the Transition Year programme, where each school has the flexibility to design its own programme within a framework set out by my Department. As part of this, schools are encouraged to provide for innovative activities which develop students' key competences in such areas as research, planning and budgeting, design, team work, and evaluation. Many schools provide musicals, fashion shows and participate in competitions as part of this approach. Schools therefore have discretion as to whether they wish to participate in Junk Kouture in meeting the learning objectives of the Transition Year Programme, or in supporting other aspects of the curriculum. They may also fund participation in the programme from the capitation grants and other programme resources allocated to schools, should they wish to do so.

The Department's logo is approved for use for programmes or projects that are funded wholly or in part by the Department of Education and Skills, as is the case with the Young Scientist exhibition. It should not, under any circumstances, be used by a commercial company to advertise a product or distribute educational material. It is not the policy of my Department to endorse commercial products.