247. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education her views on whether it is appropriate to allow an alcohol industry-funded organisation (details supplied) to provide literature and programmes on the risks of alcohol to school-aged children; if she will direct schools not to utilise any material which they have received from the organisation; if she will support a named campaign for school-based education on the risks of alcohol to be independent of any alcohol industry influence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55942/22]

Minister for Education: Norma Foley

It 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. That is reflected 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, and in the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment’s SPHE Guidelines for Teachers published on its website.

My Department is currently considering how best to ensure that this position is reflected across our schools.  In that regard, my Department will continue to liaise with the HSE, in the context of ongoing work with both the HSE and the Department of Health on the cross-Government Healthy Ireland programme, the national framework for action to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Ireland.