Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 4

Written Answers. - School Drugs Programmes.

Jack Wall

Question:

456 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary and secondary schools in County Kildare which have availed of the programmes regarding illegal substances; if he is satisfied with these numbers; the plans he has to continue such programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22789/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The Walk Tall programme was designed to combat substance abuse and to enhance the life skills of primary school pupils and 90 primary schools, out of a total of 97 such schools in County Kildare, have availed of this programme. The On My Own Two Feet programme, which provides similar material at secondary level, was availed of by 22 second level school, out of a total of 27 such schools in County Kildare. I am satisfied, on the basis of the above figures, that schools in County Kildare are availing of the respective programmes to a satisfactory degree.

Both Walk Tall and On My Own Two Feet are widely recognised as being excellent programmes and this has also been borne out by external evaluation. Both programmes are now being incorporated into a broader curriculum context through the introduction of social, personal and health education into primary and post-primary schools. This process, which is currently under way at both primary and post-primary levels, will build on and support the programmes already in place, including the two programmes in question.