284. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education what provision will be made for gambling awareness in the new Junior Cycle SPHE curriculum, at TY level and at senior cycle as per recent statements in Dáil Éireann, given that problem gambling is not covered in schools at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31984/23] 

Norma Foley, Minister for Education: Schools have a role to play in supporting their students to develop the key skills and knowledge to enable them to make informed choices when faced with a range of difficult issues, including drugs, alcohol and gambling. This is mainly done through the Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme. 

SPHE forms part of the mandatory 'Wellbeing' area of learning at Junior Cycle. Wellbeing in Junior Cycle is about young people feeling confident, happy, healthy and connected, and it is one of the principles that underpins Junior Cycle education. 

An updated Junior Cycle SPHE specification was published by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) in May 2023 and will be rolled out in schools from September 2023. It provides clear direction on the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that all students should gain during the three years of Junior Cycle SPHE. It places a strong focus on the development of important life skills that young people need growing up in a fast changing and complex world. The SPHE specification is grounded in values of respect, equality, inclusivity, responsibility, dignity, compassion and empathy. 

The learning outcomes of the Making Healthy Choices strand in the updated specification include that students should be able to "discuss societal, cultural and economic influences affecting young people when it comes to making healthy choices about smoking, alcohol and other addictive substances and behaviours, and how harmful influences can be overcome in real-life situations". In the specification’s Glossary of Key Terms, addictive behaviours are defined as including “gaming, gambling and social media addictions”. 

Schools are also encouraged to deliver the SPHE programme in Senior Cycle. In the course of the consultation on the Background Paper and Brief for the redevelopment of Senior Cycle SPHE, participants commonly talked about addictive substances and behaviours such as alcohol and gambling and the need for students to be enabled to recognise addition and the impact of addition on emotional wellbeing, on decision-making and on family and friends. This learning will be addressed in the draft specification due out for consultation this year. 

The Transition Year Programme Statement is currently being redeveloped to support the realisation of the purpose and vision for a redeveloped senior cycle as set out the Senior Cycle Review Advisory Report, which was published by the NCCA in 2022.  Transition Year provides schools with the flexibility and autonomy to design a curriculum in their local context to develop students holistically. TY provides opportunities for vocational education and awareness, greater community links, participation in a wide range of activities and experiences and a deeper sense of belonging. The draft programme statement will be published for consultation later this year.