I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 70 together.
The Primary Curriculum Review Body did not make any specific recommendations in regard to the establishment of working parties. In line with their remit, the review body gave particular attention to Irish, English and mathematics and to the issues of assessing pupil progress and evaluating the system overall. The review body also examined and made recommendations relating to a number of other curriculum issues, including health education.
While the review body noted that health education is of sufficient importance to warrant inclusion on the primary school curriculum, it was acknowledged that the constraints on time are such that the addition of another subject would introduce an element of overload that would not be helpful and can only lessen the instruction time available for existing subjects. Accordingly, the review body recommended that health education should be treated as a cross curricular theme in primary schools.
In addition the review body recommended an examination of issues relating to sexuality education and the implications for the primary curriculum.
The task of developing a strategy for curriculum reform in the primary sector has been assigned to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. The council's remit includes reviewing and advising the Minister for Education on the curriculum for primary schools with particular reference to curriculum development arising from the recommendations of the Primary Curriculum Review Body. Health education is one of the areas the NCCA will be examining.
My Department have facilitated the development of health education programmes for pupils through the secondment of two primary teachers to two health boards. Furthermore, my Department are in consultation with all health boards with a view to co-ordinating existing programme material on health education for pupils for transmission to the NCCA.