Vol. 520 No. 5
35 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide details of all programmes intended to combat drug use which his Department is providing; the number of schools delivering the programme in each case; and the extent of funding which he has provided for the associated training of teachers. [16174/00]
75 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science the proportion of primary schools and of secondary schools which will have drug prevention programmes in place by the end of the year 2000. [16162/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 75 together.
The programme of substance misuse prevention education for primary schools, "Walk Tall", was developed by my Department in consultation with the partners in education and other relevant interests. The development took place in a small number of primary schools during the school years 1996 / 97 and 1997 / 98 and the programme received a positive independent evaluation.
The dissemination of the programme's detailed educational resource materials to primary schools commenced in January 1999, with a two year completion target. The programme has now been introduced to approximately 2150 primary schools, 67%. The process is currently being reviewed and, if necessary, it is my intention that provision be made to continue the dissemination in 2001 until all primary schools have had the opportunity to introduce the programme. The funds provided for the dissemination amounted to £500,000 per annum for 1999 and 2000.
