24. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to encourage schools to provide alcohol and drug awareness programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21890/15]

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Jan O'Sullivan): Schools are already supporting students to develop the key skills and knowledge to enable them to make informed choices when faced with a range of difficult issues, including alcohol and drugs. This is mainly done through the Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme, which has a specific module on the use and misuse of a range of substances. SPHE is mandatory in all primary schools. It will also form part of the new mandatory 'Wellbeing' component of junior cycle, along with P.E. and C.S.P.E. Schools are also encouraged to deliver the SPHE programme in senior cycle. Schools have access to a number of resources that support the delivery of the substance use module of SPHE. Examples include the "Walk Tall" Programme for primary pupils and a post-primary resource called "On My Own Two Feet". The latest data available to my Department (Lifeskills survey, 2012) indicate that almost all schools are providing their students with information on drug and alcohol abuse.