Olwyn Enright
Question:282 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of health education programmes taking place in secondary schools; the names of these programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4495/03]
Written Answers. - School Curriculum.
Health education programmes are addressed in post-primary schools in the context of the social, personal and health education – SPHE – curriculum.
The implementation of SPHE at junior cycle has been supported by the post-primary SPHE support service since September 2000. This service works in partnership with health promotion personnel in regional health boards.
A budget of €1.2 million was jointly allocated to the SPHE support service in 2002 by the Department of Education and Science, the Department of Health and Children and health boards. It is expected that all post-primary schools will have implemented SPHE as part of their junior cycle programmes with effect from September 2003.