Vol. 519 No. 2
340 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide details of how swimming will be included in the new school curriculum; if he intends that schools will provide swimming as part of the school curriculum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13631/00]
Swimming was included as part of the physical education programme in the 1971 primary curriculum. Many schools throughout the country have on-going arrangements with the authorities of local pools to have swimming taught to their pupils on a sessional basis at certain designated periods during their years in the primary school. Many parents ensure that their children attend swimming lessons as part of their recreational activity.
Swimming forms an integral part of the aquatics strand of the physical education programme in the revised primary curriculum. As was done in the case of other subject areas, all primary teachers have been issued with a curriculum statement and teacher guidelines in physical education. I will arrange to have the Deputy provided with a copy of these.
