Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2015
133. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the recent survey (details supplied) carried out by the Irish Heart Foundation researching the state of nutrition standards in post-primary schools which found that 40% of schools surveyed did not offer free, clean drinking water; and her plans to reform dietary and nutrition standards in secondary schools. [25813/15]
View answerI welcome the valuable findings in the Irish Heart Foundation Survey from 39 post primary schools published in April.
The Government published "Healthy Ireland - A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013 - 2025". "Healthy Ireland" aims to improve the health not only of our students but also of our nation.
Education has a key role to play in the "Healthy Ireland" agenda. In fact, my Department, having consulted with the Department of Health and the HSE, will, in September, issue guidance for post-primary schools, initially, on promoting healthy lifestyles.
At the same time, the Department of Health will publish updated guidelines for post primary schools on the development of healthy eating policies.
Data from my Department's own Lifeskills Survey, 2012, indicate that almost all post-primary schools provide information to students on the importance of a balanced diet. Some 325 post-primary schools responded to the 2012 Survey.
Data from the 2015 survey are currently being analysed.
