Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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287. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a national school sports module (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41112/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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It is important to note that primary schools are required to deliver a broad and balanced P.E. programme that enables students to achieve the learning outcomes associated with this subject area. This involves primary schools providing at least one hour a week for P.E. There is therefore no scope for accommodating new initiatives that will encroach on the time that is currently allocated for P.E. or for other curricular areas.

There are also other measures both within and outside of schools that complement the aims of the P.E. curriculum. These include the following:

- All primary schools are required to deliver the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) Programme which provides students with an awareness and understanding of the importance of regular physical exercise, the need for a balanced diet and the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse.

- The Active School Flag, launched by my Department in 2009, seeks to recognise schools (both primary and post primary) that provide quality P.E., co-curricular physical activity and sports programmes for their students. To date, more than 1,000 primary schools and 128 post-primary schools have registered for the programme.

- Many schools already provide extensive programmes of physical activities outside of school hours in conjunction with sports organisations such as the Gaelic Athletic Association, Basketball Ireland, and the Football Association of Ireland.

- 'Sport for All' Day: my Department promotes the dedication of one day in the school year to encourage greater participation in sport at primary school level.

A 'Get Active' Guiding Framework was launched last month by the Taoiseach. This Framework was developed by my Department, in conjunction with the Departments of Health, Children and Youth Affairs, and Tourism, Transport and Sport. It provides for a co-ordinated approach to physical education, physical activity and sport in school and community settings for children and young people. The aim is to ensure that all children are supported to fulfil their potential in terms of physical activity and to live an active, healthy lifestyle.

This proposal for a national sports module for primary schools has been brought to the attention of my officials.