Michael Finucane
Question:11 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Education if he has examined the ACET AIDS programme; his views on whether the programme is suitable for Irish post-primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - ACET AIDS Programme.
Gerry Reynolds
Question:13 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Education if he has examined the ACET AIDS programme; his views on whether the programme is suitable for Irish post-primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Jim Higgins
Question:16 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education if he has examined the ACET AIDS programme; his views on whether the programme is suitable for Irish post-primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Charles Flanagan
Question:73 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Education if he has examined the ACET AIDS programme; his views on whether the programme is suitable for Irish post-primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Tom Enright
Question:78 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Education if he has examined the ACET AIDS programme; his views on whether the programme is suitable for Irish post-primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Phil Hogan
Question:85 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education if he has examined the ACET AIDS programme; his views on whether the programme is suitable for Irish post-primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 13, 16, 73, 78 and 85 together.
My Department have received information about AIDS Care Education and Training (ACET) which is a charitable organisation formed in London in 1988 as a christian response to AIDS. As I understand it, this association is involved in both educational activity about HIV/AIDS and in promoting the care and welfare of persons affected by HIV/AIDS. This latter matter would be largely for the Department of Health. The Deputy will be aware that my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Health, developed an educational package for schools on HIV/AIDS and a major dissemination and training programme involving the organisation of 26 inservice seminars has just been completed. The evaluation of this programme will be carried out in the early autumn and the contribution of other agencies and use of other programmes will be considered in the context of this evaluation. I look forward to further contact with ACET and indeed with various groups and agencies during the further development of our educational approach to HIV/AIDS in the context of the Government's overall strategy on the issue.
I thank the Minister for his reply and especially for his comments about the developments that are taking place vis-á-vis secondary schools and the urgent necessity for education in relation to this illness, which is causing much concern. Has the Minister considered the effectiveness of the education awareness programme that is currently in vogue in the North of Ireland? Based on the success of that programme, has the Minister taken on any modules for use in the package that has been developed and introduced in the schools?
In our own programme that has been disseminated to schools we have taken account of the practice in several other areas. I am not able to say specifically whether the Northern Ireland programme was taken in, but I would be surprised if it was not. The UK, including Northern Ireland, is involved in the ACET approach. We are keeping up with what they are doing. Incidentally, if ACET wish to have further discussions with my Department they will facilitate them.
I thank the Minister for his assurances in regard to this matter. However, while an educational package is helpful, in the vast majority of cases it is not being used in the schools because we cannot get enough people to take the courses to which the Minister referred. Instead of the educational package being left in the staff room, we need a positive, promotional and pro-active campaign to give explicit, sensitively delivered tuition to people in relation to the horrendous consequences of AIDS, how it can be avoided and the measures and steps which should be taken. As Deputy Finucane said, there is a proven module in the North of Ireland, which is cost effective and working well. They are more than anxious to make it available down here if we are receptive to the idea. We should have serious dialogue with them and look at its merits because it does work.
I will initiate discussions with the Northern Ireland authorities about that module to see if it would work for us. I would be disappointed if boards of management permitted documentation in this regard to lie unused in staff rooms, and I ask all boards of management and principals to ensure that that does not happen and that they live up to their responsibilities in the area of care, attention and advice. It may differ from school to school and it might not be suitable to over-standardise it because the boards of management in some areas may feel they wish to handle it in a different way and, therefore, they should be given flexibility. I ask all boards of management to use the material sent to them for this purpose.