Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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28. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the challenge by schools (details supplied) in Greystones in County Wicklow to the location of a fast-food restaurant close to their premises on public health grounds; and the progress she has made on the implementation of the Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013 to 2025. [43881/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The manner in which the challenge was taken in this case is a matter for the schools involved. I would like to commend the school for prioritising the health of their students in deciding their school policy on this matter.

Schools and the wider education sector have a vital role to play in contributing to the Government's 'Healthy Ireland' agenda set out in the Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025. Healthy Ireland was published by the Department of Health in 2013, and is one of the most ambitious programmes we have ever seen focused on improving the health of the nation.

Healthy Ireland contains a number of goals for the education sector. The Department of Education is a key partner in the delivery of this agenda, and this work is a personal priority for me during my time as Minister.

Through their primary and post primary education students are equipped with the key skills and knowledge to enable them to make healthier life choices. Schools' efforts should be complemented by students' families and their community.

My Department issued guidance to post primary schools, this September, on promoting healthy lifestyles which includes healthy eating policies. Similar guidance will be provided to primary schools early in 2016. I want to see more active flags in schools, more schools growing their own food, and more schools adopting healthy eating policies – I will be continuing to engage with the education stakeholders to find ways of achieving these goals.