Vol. 551 No. 4
229 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science if information on abortion procedures, including a video presentation on the matter is part of the leaving certificate curriculum in home economics, social and scientific model; if his attention has been drawn to the schools that include this in their education programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10744/02]
I can assure the Deputy that abortion procedures are not included in the syllabus for leaving certificate home economics: social and scientific. No video on the subject has been produced by my Department or by the NCCA, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.
The issue of abortion, as distinct from abortion procedures, might be discussed in class under the substantial section of the home economics: social and scientific syllabus that deals with the family. This section includes topics such as the structure and function of the family, marriage, changes in society and their effects on the family, social problems including drugs and alcohol misuse, domestic violence, child neglect and cruelty. Abortion is not referred to specifically but might arise in the context of discussion of other social issues.
Within the human physiology section of the syllabus, a factual, biological description of the male and female reproductive systems of the human body is included.
