Vol. 500 No. 2
91 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools implementing the relationship and sexuality education programme in schools; if he has satisfied himself with the rate of implementation of the programme; when it is expected that all schools will implement the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3709/99]
I refer Deputy Moynihan-Cronin to my response of 2 December 1998 in which I indicated that the preliminary results of the first 1,062 questionnaires returned from a national survey of primary schools showed that 74 per cent of schools have taken the first step in implementing an RSE programme by setting up an RSE policy committee. I also outlined that some 54 per cent of primary schools indicated their intention to teach the RSE programme in some or all classes in the current school year. The preliminary results of 88 of the first 250 responses received at post-primary level showed that 83 per cent of schools have set up RSE policy committees and 81 per cent indicated their intention to teach the RSE programme in some or all classes in the current school year.
Since December 1998, further replies have been received from schools and a full analysis of the responses is currently being carried out. When the final figures are available I will communicate them to the Deputy. I assure the Deputy that I and my Department intend to continue to build on this high level of implementation of this important programme.
