David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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151. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the importance of physical education, in particular swimming, for primary and secondary school students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33964/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Physical Education (PE) is an integral part of the curriculum for both primary and post-primary schools. The curricula have been developed on the understanding that facilities available to schools vary. Consequently each school is enabled to design a programme that can be delivered using the resources available to it.

At primary level, the curriculum comprises six strands, covering a broad range of skills and the aquatics strand is outlined for any of the levels depending on the availability of a facility for swimming.

In the new Junior Cycle, all students will undertake learning in a new area entitled 'Wellbeing' which will be introduced from September 2017. This will include Physical Education as an integral component, but it would be premature to comment on the extent to which swimming or aquatics will form part of the programme. In addition, the NCCA is finalising a new PE curriculum framework for senior cycle.