Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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1244. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 236 of 14 October 2014, the progress on the development of guidance for schools on the issue of obesity; the position in respect of the pilot initiatives Get Active and Points for Life that took place in schools in the last academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31077/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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My Department is involved in a number of measures to promote the overall Government 'Healthy Ireland' agenda which is led by the Department of Health. Healthy Lifestyle Guidance for post primary schools was circulated recently. This guidance was drafted in consultation with the Department of Health and the HSE and encompasses measures to promote healthy eating, healthy vending, as well as the promotion of Physical Education (PE) and Physical Activity. Guidance will issue to primary schools before the end of the year.

There are a number of initiatives to further promote physical activity. P.E. is an integral part of the primary curriculum. There will be a general consultation on the overall primary curriculum in early 2016. At post primary level, PE will form part of the compulsory 'Wellbeing' component of Junior Cycle to commence in 2017. In addition, the NCCA is finalising a new PE curriculum framework for senior cycle.

The 'Points for Life' pilot project and the Get Active programme have informed a new CPD programme which is currently being developed by the Professional Development Support Service for Teachers (PDST). The programme is a 3 year plan for professional development programme for primary and post primary teachers in P.E. The initial focus of this professional support will be on developing fundamental movement skills and building the knowledge, skills and capacity of teachers to meet the physical literacy needs of learners through the P.E. curriculum.

My Department is participating in the cross Departmental group that is responsible for developing the National Physical Activity Plan. This group, which is co-chaired by the Department of Health and the Department of Transport, is currently finalising the National Plan. The Plan will contain a range of measures to promote physical activity across society, including in the education sector.

My Department is also represented on a number of key 'Healthy Ireland' structures. These include the Special Advisory Group on Obesity (SAGO).

My Department is participating in the cross Departmental group that is responsible for developing the National Physical Activity Plan. This group, which is co-chaired by the Department of Health and the Department of Transport, is currently finalising the National Plan. The Plan will contain a range of measures to promote physical activity across society, including in the education sector.