Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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259. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will publish his departmental policy as regards directing schools to include up to date nutritional education in the curriculum, with an emphasis on education on sugar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20779/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The issue of promoting healthy eating is addressed in schools through subjects such as Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE), and Home Economics as well as in Physical Education. With such skills and knowledge, it is hoped that our young people will make appropriate choices so that this informed approach will help to reduce the incidence of obesity in our young people.

The SPHE syllabus at both primary and post-primary levels contains modules which educate students on the elements of a balanced diet and the importance of healthy eating for physical and mental well-being.

Wellbeing is a new area of learning which is a priority for the new Junior Cycle. It will provide learning opportunities that enhance the physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing of students, and will enable students to build life skills and develop a strong sense of connectedness to the school and to their community.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has developed Guidelines to support schools in planning their Wellbeing Programmes, and is currently looking for feedback which will inform the final version of the Guidelines, due for publication in September 2016.