Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2022
423. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education if her Department intends to issue a joint circular which explicitly states that schools should not use alcohol educational resources developed by the alcohol industry or alcohol industry-funded organisations; if so, the date that this will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53567/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not appropriate that resources or materials produced or funded by the drinks industry, for education and awareness on alcohol, are in use in our schools. As the Deputy is aware, this position is set out in Departmental Circular 13/2016, Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles in Primary Schools, which states that schools should avoid using resources developed by the alcohol industry. This message is also reiterated in the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment’s SPHE Guidelines for Teachers. My Department will continue to liaise with the HSE, in the context of ongoing work with both the HSE and the Department of Health and HSE on the cross- Government Healthy Ireland programme, the national framework for action to improve the health and wellbeing of the people in Ireland.
