Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 June 2025
245. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of primary schools that provide swimming lessons to pupils; if the aquatics module of the physical education curriculum is offered in all schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35185/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department does not hold data on how many schools offer swimming lessons.
All schools are required to deliver physical education as part of the curriculum. Physical Education supports the development of physical, cognitive, psychological and social capabilities.
1999 Curriculum:
The current Physical Education (PE) curriculum was introduced as part of the Primary School Curriculum (1999). It provides a balanced range of activities for children through the six strands: Athletics; Dance; Gymnastics; Games; Outdoor and Adventure Activities; and Aquatics.
The PE curriculum contributes to children’s overall development by helping them to lead full, active and healthy lives. It provides a balanced range of activities for children through Aquatics strand of PE. The aquatics programme is concerned with gaining competence and confidence near, in, under and on water. The term ‘aquatics’ is used to include not only the teaching of swimming strokes but the provision of opportunities for enjoyment of water play and other aspects of aquatics. The concern for water safety permeates all aquatic activities.
However, the PE curriculum has been developed on the understanding that facilities available to schools vary. Consequently, it offers a level of flexibility that allows each individual school to design a programme that can be delivered using the resources and supports available to it.
New Well-being Specification:
The redeveloped curriculum specification for Primary Well-being, including SPHE and PE, along with four other curriculum specifications are due to be published in the 2025/2026 school year with implementation on a phased basis, over a 5 – 6 year period. Each of the five curriculum specifications will include a ‘Toolkit’. In addition, professional development opportunities will be provided to school leaders and teachers. The model of professional development is currently being considered.
The Well-being Curriculum aims to provide all children with a balanced, inclusive, age and developmentally appropriate understanding of human development and sexuality. This includes fostering healthy attitudes and relationships while recognising the diversity of human experience.
The Well-being Curriculum includes the subjects of PE and SPHE. Learning in the Well-being Curriculum is organised across four Strands:
• Movement Education
• Emotional and Relational Education
• Health Education
• Community and Belonging.
The PE activity areas, includes aquatics which aims to provide children with water and land-based learning to develop essential safety skills depending on access to suitable environments, transport and qualified instructors.
The Department has committed to the following actions in the National Swimming Strategy, published last year:
• As part of the review of the primary school curriculum, further embed the provision of aquatics and water safety as components of the curriculum.
• Develop a specific resource to support schools and aquatic providers to work together in partnership in the enactment of the Well-being specification as part of the redeveloped primary school curriculum.
• Develop, and roll out, specific Continuing Professional Development (CPD) support for post-primary teachers in the area of aquatic and water safety as part of Physical Education supports at Junior Cycle level.
