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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Curriculum.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

391 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will consider making food safety and hygiene a mandatory subject in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26736/98]

At primary level food safety and hygiene is a component of the curriculum at present in the context of the promotion of healthy living. It also will feature prominently in the revision of the primary curriculum as part of an integrated approach to the teaching of health education in the context of social, personal and health education.

At second level the junior certificate syllabi in home economics, especially through its test in culinary skills, and science deal with apsects of food safety and hygiene. Almost all junior certificate pupils take either home economics or science. A revision of the home economics syllabus at leaving certificate level is being finalised. This will incorporate aspects of all recent legislative changes in relation to food safety. Aspects of food safety and hygiene are present in the microbiology section of the biology syllabus. Over twothirds of the leaving certificate cohort take either home economics or biology.

I do not consider it necessary, therefore, to make food safety and hygiene a distinct subject in schools.

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