Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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232. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position in regard to the introduction of physical education in primary schools; his plans in regard to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42266/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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All schools are required to deliver physical education as part of the curriculum. Primary schools are required to deliver a minimum of 1 hour per week while post primary schools are required to deliver a minimum of 2 hours per week.

Healthy Ireland, A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025 is the national framework for whole of Government and whole of society action to improve the health and well-being of people living in Ireland. The Framework identifies a number of broad inter-sectoral actions, one of which commits to the development of a plan to promote increased physical activity levels. The National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP) was published in 2016 and contains a range of measures to promote physical activity across society, including in the education sector.

My Department has a number of action under the NPAP as follows:

- Raise awareness among schools, particularly Primary schools, of opportunities to educate through physical activity

- Develop guidance to support schools adopt and implement policies that promote the well-being of their communities under the Get Active! Framework

- Extend the Active School Flag programme

- Fully implement the Physical Education curriculum for all primary and post-primary pupils to meet Department of Education and Skills guidelines

- Evaluate the quality of teaching and learning in Physical Education in a sample of primary and post-primary schools annually

- Develop and provide a programme of continuous professional development in physical education

- Promote the assessment of PE by facilitating teachers and students in managing the assessment dimension of senior cycle physical education through the development of an App (for phones/tablets) and to trial the App with a number of schools.

- Conduct the LifeSkills Survey every three years

- Include children and young people in the development and implementation of programmes in which they are involved.

- Include the promotion of physical activity in children, including through play, as an integral component of education and training programmes that lead to qualifications in early childhood care and education.

- Evaluating the quality of teaching and learning in Physical Education in a sample of primary and post-primary schools annually

- Raising awareness among schools, particularly Primary schools, of opportunities to educate through physical activity

I am progressing these commitments according to the timelines laid out in the National Physical Activity Plan.