Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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1258. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether he would be supportive of including Gaelic games on the primary school curriculum in order to give each child a chance to access and play our national sports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43887/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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All schools are required to deliver physical education as part of the curriculum. Physical Education supports the development of physical, cognitive, psychological and social capabilities.

1999 Curriculum: The current Physical Education (PE) curriculum was introduced as part of the Primary School Curriculum (1999). It provides a balanced range of activities for children through the six strands: Athletics; Dance; Gymnastics; Games; Outdoor and Adventure Activities; and Aquatics. The “Games” strand allows schools to include a variety of team and individual games, including Gaelic games, where appropriate.

The PE curriculum has been developed on the understanding that facilities available to schools vary. Consequently, it offers a level of flexibility that allows each individual school to design a programme that can be delivered using the resources and supports available to it.

New Wellbeing Specification: The redeveloped curriculum specification for Primary Wellbeing, including SPHE and PE, along with four other curriculum specifications are due to be published in the 2025/2026 school year with implementation on a phased basis, over a 5 – 6 year period. Each of the five curriculum specifications will include a ‘Toolkit’. In addition, professional development opportunities will be provided to school leaders and teachers. The model of professional development is currently being considered.

The Wellbeing Curriculum includes the subjects of PE and SPHE. Learning in the Wellbeing Curriculum is organised across four Strands:

•Movement Education

•Emotional and Relational Education

•Health Education

•Community and Belonging.

Within the Movement Education strand, opportunities will continue to exist for schools to include a range of physical activities and games, including Gaelic games. As with the current curriculum, schools will retain autonomy to select and implement activities based on their local context, interests, and available resources.

Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1259. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether he would be supportive of including Gaelic games on the primary school curriculum in order to give each child a chance to access and play our national sports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43888/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

All schools are required to deliver physical education as part of the curriculum. Physical Education supports the development of physical, cognitive, psychological and social capabilities.

1999 Curriculum: The current Physical Education (PE) curriculum was introduced as part of the Primary School Curriculum (1999). It provides a balanced range of activities for children through the six strands: Athletics; Dance; Gymnastics; Games; Outdoor and Adventure Activities; and Aquatics. The “Games” strand allows schools to include a variety of team and individual games, including Gaelic games, where appropriate.

The PE curriculum has been developed on the understanding that facilities available to schools vary. Consequently, it offers a level of flexibility that allows each individual school to design a programme that can be delivered using the resources and supports available to it.

New Wellbeing Specification: The redeveloped curriculum specification for Primary Wellbeing, including SPHE and PE, along with four other curriculum specifications are due to be published in the 2025/2026 school year with implementation on a phased basis, over a 5 – 6 year period. Each of the five curriculum specifications will include a ‘Toolkit’. In addition, professional development opportunities will be provided to school leaders and teachers. The model of professional development is currently being considered.

The Wellbeing Curriculum includes the subjects of PE and SPHE. Learning in the Wellbeing Curriculum is organised across four Strands:

•Movement Education

•Emotional and Relational Education

•Health Education

•Community and Belonging.

Within the Movement Education strand, opportunities will continue to exist for schools to include a range of physical activities and games, including Gaelic games. As with the current curriculum, schools will retain autonomy to select and implement activities based on their local context, interests, and available resources.