338. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education the number of schools engaging in the Know the Score national drug awareness programme; the approximate number of students who have participated in the programme since its launch in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35418/22]

Written answers (Question to Education), Norma Foley, Minister for Education: Know The Score is the first national evidence-based resource on alcohol and drugs for Senior Cycle students (15-18yrs). It is developed in partnership between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and other health and education professionals involved in substance misuse education.  It was published in late 2019 and is available free of charge to teachers from the HSE.  It is also available online.  Since it was launched 1,016 copies of the resource have been ordered by teachers and it has been downloaded 4270 times. A one-day Teacher Training  course was offered in 2020, 4 of these courses were delivered to  a total of 70 participants before training was cancelled due to Covid 19.  Teacher training was made available again in 2022; reports on the number of teachers attending will be available shortly.

Neither the HSE nor my Department collates the number of schools that use the Know the Score resource.  It is important to note the Know the Score is a resource for teachers to use as they consider appropriate with their students and not a “programme” that schools are required to implement, therefore it would not be correct to “measure participation”.

Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) is a mandatory curriculum subject in all primary schools and at Junior Cycle and is encouraged at Senior Cycle. Substance misuse as well as relevant topics such as student decision-making skills and safety and protection form an important part of the SPHE curriculum.  My Department inspects SPHE implementation to ensure it is being implemented in line with curricular guidance.