Vol. 512 No. 1
46 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress, if any, made on the promised new drugs prevention pro gramme for all primary schools; the staff, finance and resources which will be allocated for the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25370/99]
The programme of substance misuse prevention education for primary schools was developed by my Department in consultation with the partners in education and other relevant interests. This programme is called Walk Tall. The development took place in a small number of primary schools during the school years 1996-97 and 1997-98. On the basis of a positive evaluation of the programme the associated detailed educational resource materials were designed and printed before the end of 1998.
It was decided to disseminate the programme to all primary schools over a two-year period beginning in early 1999. This dissemination process commenced earlier this year and the programme has now been introduced to approximately 950 primary schools.
There is a support team of seven teacher trainers, including a national project officer involved in the dissemination process. The administration of the process is located in West Dublin Education Centre which works in co-operation with education centres throughout the country. The detailed educational resource materials are for each class level in primary schools and are provided free of charge to schools as the programme is introduced and after participation by the teaching staffs of the schools in one day training seminars. In addition to these training seminars, the provision of further longer training courses for teachers has begun. It is intended that these longer courses will be available to teachers an ongoing basis.
Already, 15 of these longer courses have been, or are being, held this year. The costs of designing and printing the resource materials in quantities required amounted to £142,000 before the end of 1998. The farther funds provided for the dissemination in 1999 amounted to £500,000 and £500,000 is to be provided in 2000 to continue the dissemination process.
