Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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79. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason involvement in the extra curriculum activities of sports is not being considered as part of the timetabled wellness programme in second-level schools. [2548/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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My Department fully supports the promotion of healthy lifestyles in schools and has issued circulars to support and strengthen schools’ efforts in developing in young people the skills and attitudes needed to make informed decisions about their health. Through the curriculum students are taught the key skills and knowledge to enable them to make healthier life choices.

All post primary schools must provide a wellbeing programme as part of its timetable to junior cycle students. In this Wellbeing programme, Civic Social and Political Education (CSPE), Social Personal Health Education (SPHE) and Physical Education are given equal parity in supporting student learning in Wellbeing and are allocated similar time over the three years of junior cycle. Key events within the school calendar which involve all students are also incorporated in a Wellbeing programme and may include sporting activities such as sports day.

Another significant development in the area of physical education is the introduction on a phased basis from September 2018 of a new examinable Leaving Certificate Physical Education subject and a new non-examinable Framework for Senior Cycle Physical Education.