Vol. 521 No. 1
168 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will give details of the health education programme which is now being offered to post-primary schools nation-wide through a partnership between his Department and the Department of Education and Science from September 2000. [16428/00]
I assume the Deputy is referring to the programme of social, personal and health education which will be offered at junior cycle level, to post-primary schools nationwide through a partnership between my Department, regional health boards and the Department of Education and Science from September of this year.
Social, personal and health education is a broad based health education programme which aims to enhance the self-esteem and decision making skills of young people using experiential learning methodologies. The content of the curriculum has been approved by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. A project steering committee has been established involving the Department of Education and Science, the health promotion unit of my Department and the regional health boards to oversee the implementation over the coming three years.
