Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
702. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the amount of funding provided to primary schools for the delivery of the physical education curriculum in each of the years 2018 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38727/23]
View answerThe current Physical Education (PE) curriculum was introduced as part of the Primary School Curriculum (1999). The PE curriculum is for children from junior infants to sixth class. It provides a balanced range of activities for children through the six strands; Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics, Games, Outdoor and adventure activities and Aquatics. The primary curriculum is currently undergoing a period of review and redevelopment. The new PE curriculum is under development and will be subject to consultation in early 2024.
With regards to the delivery of the PE curriculum, all primary school teachers have first-line responsibility for the teaching of the full primary curriculum, including the PE curriculum to all pupils in their classes. Schools may at their discretion choose any resources to assist in the delivery of the curriculum.
There is no separate funding provision for the delivery of PE in schools. Costs for the delivery of the PE curriculum in the classroom is included in teachers’ pay and any professional development which may be provided by the Department’s support services. Capitation grants are provided to all schools to cover day to day running costs. Individual schools have discretion to determine the level of allocated funds sourced from the Department of Education to PE activities. For example the minor works grant funding is provided to primary schools to cover small-scale works, maintenance costs etc. and schools have flexibility to use it to purchase equipment which may include PE equipment.
