asked the Minister for Education whether his Department are conducting any study of general fitness amongst Irish youth; whether he has any plans to consult with educational authorities in an effort to improve physical fitness among youth by releasing medical personnel for guidance talks and the inauguration of new physical training courses; and whether he is satisfied that Irish youth are physically at par with European youth.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Physical Fitness Study.
17.
New syllabuses for physical education and health education are being prepared for primary and post-primary schools. No research into the fitness of youth has been carried out on a national level, but tests are being prepared which, when processed, will be easily related to similar findings in other countries. These fitness tests will be a regular feature of the physical education programme and will be carried out by physical education teachers in co-operation with medical authorities.