Liz McManus
Question:136 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures, if any, being taken to encourage Irish men to take responsibility for contraception. [23012/99]
Written Answers. - Family Planning.
Following the publication of the Green Paper on Abortion in September of this year, the Government decided to prepare a plan of action which will seek to reduce the number of Irish pregnancies which end in abortion. Among the issues which it is intended to address are the promotion of responsible sexual behaviour among young people, increased awareness on the use of contraception, promotion of male contraceptive responsibility and the cultivation of more responsible attitudes to alcohol with particular regard to alcohol and sexual activity.
I understand that social personal health education in schools includes amongst its objectives the promotion of male responsibility towards contraception. The operation of this programme is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science.