Vol. 532 No. 2
72 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on the implementation of the On My Own Two Feet programme; the number of schools which are providing the programme; the annual funding which is provided for teacher training; and his plans to ensure that all schools provide this programme as a matter of urgency in view of the incidence of underage drinking and drug use. [6967/01]
On My Own Two Feet is a substance misuse prevention programme for second level schools. A total of 1,635 teachers from 522 schools were trained in the programme up to last year. This was a voluntary programme which was offered to schools. Last year the On My Own Two Feet programme became the basis for and was subsumed into the social, personal and health education programme, which includes substance misuse prevention education. This SPHE programme is being phased into all schools at junior cycle over a three year period from September 2000. A support service has been in place for SPHE since its introduction. This consists of 11 people, a national co-ordinator and ten regional development officers. The training being provided by these people is informed by the experience of the On My Own Two Feet programme. In 2001, a total of £620,000 is being provided for the support service for SPHE, the staff of which works in partnership with health promotion personnel in regional health boards.
In October of last year, an additional supplement to the On My Own Two Feet programme was prepared and is being distributed to all schools which have participated in training. The schools which have not participated in the On My Own Two Feet programme will get the full pack for that programme in the context of the SPHE programme. The full pack consists of seven books including the new supplement. On My Own Two Feet continues to be promoted as a core resource for SPHE.
