Vol. 506 No. 4
18 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science when the promised new drugs prevention programme for all primary schools will be introduced; the staff, finance and resources which will be allocated for the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15601/99]
The introduction of the substance misuse prevention education programme for primary schools, "Walk Tall," has already started. Its introduction commenced last January. It is being introduced to all primary schools on a phased basis during the two years 1999 and 2000. The programme, including detailed educational resource materials for each class level, is being introduced to schools as staff seminars are held for the teachers. To date, "Walk Tall" has been introduced to 400 primary schools, with a target of having the programme in all primary schools by the end of 2000.
A support team has been put in place for the dissemination process. The support team consists of a national project officer and five teacher trainers at present. Interviews have been held for one further teacher trainer and this additional person will be available from the beginning of the next school year. There is a management group for the project within my Department, including one senior psychologist who is project leader.
Provision of £1 million for the dissemination of "Walk Tall," over the two year period, has been included within the social inclusion funding for the Department of Education and Science announced in the budget statement. The provision in 1999 is £0.5 million. The supporting educational resource materials are being provided free to schools as the programme is introduced. The overall cost of preparation, design and printing of these materials, in the quantities required, was £142,000 in 1998 and this in addition to the £1 million referred to above.
The administration of the process of dissemination is based in West Dublin education centre which co-operates with education centres in other locations in support of the dissemination.
As a further support for teachers and schools in implementing the programme, the provision of longer in-service training courses for teachers has commenced, five of these courses have been held since the beginning of 1999 and a further six are planned for the summer months. It is envisaged that these courses will be the beginning of on-going in-career support for teachers in implementing and developing "Walk Tall" in their schools. In addition, members of the support team have been available to make follow-up visits to local education centres, and to individual schools to the extent possible, to offer further guidance on implementation.
