Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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401. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of second level schools that are providing physical education as an examination subject; the number of students that have already taken physical education as an examination subject; the number of qualified physical education teachers that are currently employed in second level schools; the restrictions that apply to a school for the provision of the examination subject; the facilities that are required by a school in order to be accepted for the provision of the examination subject; the supports that are provided by her Department for a school that wishes to provide physical education as an examination subject; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48443/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised that 285 schools provided Leaving Certificate Physical Education (LCPE) as an examinable subject in the 2021/22 school year. Since the first examinations took place in 2020, over 7,500 students have completed the LCPE examination.

Based on available information, the number of people teaching physical education in post-primary schools in 2021/2022 was over 2,860. I can clarify that no restrictions apply to a school for the provision of LCPE and it should be noted that LCPE is available to any school that chooses to offer it. However, this is a decision for individual schools.

There is no stipulation from my Department with regard to the facilities required in order to be accepted for the provision of LCPE. A school that has minimal facilities can still offer the subject. However, this is a decision for individual schools to take.

In terms of supports for a school that wishes to provide LCPE as an examination subject, the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) currently offers eight Continuous Professional Development (CPD)/In-service days across a two year period for those teachers new to teaching LCPE. Substitution cover is provided for each of these eight events.

Teachers also have the option of attending additional evening Zoom support meetings (called 'Collaborative'), accessing relevant online PDST support materials through the PDST VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) in their own time, and / or requesting a School Support Visit from one of three LCPE PDST Advisors.