Jim O'Keeffe
Question:73 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education if she will outline her views on sex education in our schools.
Written Answers. - Sex Education.
In so far as sex education in school is a matter of supplementing the primary function of parents in this regard, it may be appropriately provided under health education and religious education.
I agree with the views expressed by the Primary Curriculum Review Body in their report indicating that health education is of sufficient importance to warrant inclusion in the primary school curriculum, that that should be done by treating it as a cross-curricular theme and that health education should include issues relating to sex education with due regard for the views of parents.
In regard to post-primary education my Department's policy is outlined in the document, "Guidelines on the development of Sex-Relationships Education", which issued to post primary schools in 1987 and a copy of which I am making available to the Deputy.