THE publication last week of Targeting Sporting Change in Ireland, 1997-2006 and Beyond: The Strategic Plan has been welcomed by the TUI. The recommended national plan will, the TUI believes, open up the debate on the status of PE in schools.

The report suggests that consideration should be given to the provision of physical education as a Leaving Cert option. It goes on to say that the future health and well-being of children in Ireland is critically linked with a positive sporting culture.

"We are in the process of consulting with our members on the role and status of PE in the curriculum," says TUI president Alice Prendergast. "We are very concerned at the number of schools which cannot offer a full PE programme because of lack of qualified teachers and lack of facilities."

The union says that PE should be part of the personal development of every young person. It believes that PE is not just for elite sports people nor is it merely a measure to combat vandalism.

Many of the submissions to the strategy group, which was chaired by former Olympic silver medalist John Treacy, stressed the importance of sport for young people.