Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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183. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to implement policy measures in schools to tackle the growing issue of obesity and to encourage healthy eating and awareness of a balanced lifestyle among children and teenagers; the funding that has been allocated to this issue; the resources that have been put in place to implement the measures proposed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9250/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My Department is very proactive in the area of health and well-being in schools. 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. The aim is to equip them with such skills and knowledge to enable them to make appropriate choices. 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.

The Government published "Healthy Ireland - A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013 - 2025". "Healthy Ireland" aims to improve the health not only of our students, but also of our nation. My Department, having consulted with the Department of Health and the HSE, issued guidance for primary and post-primary schools, on promoting healthy lifestyles, in the form of Departmental Circulars. At the same time, the Department of Health published updated guidelines for post primary schools on the development of healthy eating policies.

The Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme is a mandatory part of the curriculum in primary schools and in junior cycle. The programme is supported by comprehensive teacher guidelines and curriculum support services which provide training and advice for schools and also a resource directory. Physical Education also forms a mandatory part of the primary curriculum.

At primary level, one of the SPHE strand units 'Taking care of my body' specifically addresses the need for regular exercise and activity as well as the area of nutrition and food and the need for a balanced diet. This unit is built upon from Infants classes onwards. By Fifth and Sixth classes children are encouraged to realise and accept responsibility for making wise food choices and for adopting a healthy, balanced diet, and in that, exploring and examining the food pyramid. Many primary schools operate healthy eating policies with the support of parents.

Elements of this strand are supported by the "Food Dudes" programme which encourages children to eat more fruit and vegetables both in school and in the home. The programme is managed by Bord Bia and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries and also by the EU through the School Fruit Scheme.

At post-primary level, SPHE for Junior Cycle builds on the primary SPHE Curriculum. Nutrition and physical activity are specifically addressed in the SPHE module on 'Physical Health'. In addition cross-curricular links with other subjects such as Home Economics, PE and Junior Science that deal with SPHE-related topics are encouraged.