Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 81: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of secondary schools that currently have social, personal and health education as a course on their curriculum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36489/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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A total of 704 schools out of 729 schools offered SPHE as a subject last year. The remainder are specialist PLC colleges which do not provide the second level curriculum. Final data from all schools or 2011/12 has not been fully processed yet.

The Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme is a mandatory part of the curriculum in primary schools and in junior cycle since 2003 and is designed to promote positive mental health. It is already supported by comprehensive teacher guidelines and curriculum support services which provide training and advice for schools and a resource directory. Its aim is to foster personal development, health and well being of children, to help them create and maintain supportive relationships, and develop the skills and attitudes for responsible citizenship.

SPHE is designed for implementation in the context of a caring whole-school approach which is supported by the pastoral care structures in schools. The implementation of the SPHE curriculum is supported by national programmes of professional development for teachers at primary and post primary level provided by the curriculum support services.