asked the Minister for Health when it is intended to train 800 part-time physical education teachers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Physical Education (Part-Time) Teachers.
15.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the proposal made by the Employment Action Team.
This proposal is at present under consideration in the broader context of arrangements for the promotion of community health through improvement of fitness. Because of the organisational and policy issues involved, I am not yet in a position to give an indication of when this proposal might be implemented.
Was this proposal from the Employment Action Team accepted by the Government? Was their proposal accepted by the Government that 800 part-time PE teachers ought to be recruited?
No. It was one of the proposals put forward for consideration by the various agencies and Government Departments concerned. There are a number of different interests involved in this. The enthusiasm for it in some quarters is lukewarm.
Has the proposal the Minister's approval?
I should like to see something along those lines but I am not yet satisfied that what was originally proposed is the right way to do it.
Is the Minister sharing in the lukewarm reception in regard to those proposals?
No. I should like to see something done to improve fitness generally throughout the community. A number of experts are not satisfied that this is the best way of doing it.
It does not say much for the Employment Action Team that the experts do not agree with their proposals.
They have put it forward as one of many ideas. They were concerned primarily with employment. The Deputy and I naturally have to be concerned with the health and welfare of the nation.