Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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84. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills how much money was allocated per county and the amount of funding that was allocated to primary schools under PE grants for 2023, 2022 and 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10881/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The current Physical Education (PE) curriculum was introduced as part of the Primary School Curriculum (1999). The PE curriculum is for children from junior infants to sixth class. It provides a balanced range of activities for children through the six strands; Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics, Games, Outdoor and adventure activities and Aquatics. The primary curriculum is currently undergoing a period of review and redevelopment. The new Wellbeing curriculum, which includes Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE and PE, is under development and will be subject to public consultation from March to June 2024.

With regards to the delivery of the PE curriculum, all primary school teachers have first-line responsibility for the teaching of the full primary curriculum, including the PE curriculum to all pupils in their classes. Schools may at their discretion choose any resources to assist in the delivery of the curriculum.

There is no separate funding provision for the delivery of PE in schools. Costs for the delivery of the PE curriculum in the classroom is included in teachers’ pay and any professional development which may be provided by the Department’s support services. Capitation grants are provided to all schools to cover day to day running costs. Individual schools have discretion to determine the level of allocated funds from the Department of Education to PE activities. For example the minor works grant funding is provided to primary schools to cover small-scale works, maintenance costs etc. and schools have flexibility to use it to purchase equipment which may include PE equipment.

The Physical Activity in Teaching and Learning Pilot Programme was launched on Thursday 22 February 2024 by the Minister for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne TD. The purpose of the Pilot Programme is to provide an opportunity for schools to be innovative and creative in integrating physical activity into the teaching and learning of a subject area. This is in addition to the physical activity experienced by learners during designated physical education lessons.

This pilot programme recognises the importance of physical activity in teaching and learning, and in health and wellbeing. It acknowledges the role of physical activity as a tool for schools to deliver a school culture and environment that supports the wellbeing of the learners, in line with the Department of Education Wellbeing Policy and Framework for Practice.

The projects undertaken by schools as part of this Pilot Programme will also be used to inform future Department of Education policy developments in relation to physical activity in teaching and learning in schools.