Vol. 420 No. 9
113 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Education if, in the light of the increasingly high instance of teenage pregnancy, he will outline the specific plans, if any, he has for the implementation in schools of classes which would teach parenting skills, especially in disadvantaged areas; and if he will provide a timetable for the commencement of these classes.
The existing post-primary school curriculum provides for instruction in relation to family life, the functions of the family in social life, roles and relationships in the family.
In addition, my Department has issued a circular to post-primary schools on Sex/Relationship Education in which each school was encouraged to develop its own policy for relationships education having regard to the primary role of parents. I am satisfied that schools co-operate fully with the spirit of this circular.
