Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2013
297. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the ShoutOut sex-education programme operating in counties Galway, Cork and Dublin; and his plans to extend this to other locations. [46269/13]
View answerShout Out is a volunteer organisation, consisting mainly of undergraduates or recent graduates, which offers free workshops to address homophobia and transphobia in schools. My Department is not sponsoring or supporting this work although any initiative by young people to support the development and maintenance of the well being of students is our schools deserves to be acknowledged and welcomed. There are a number of documents published by my Department which are relevant to the deputy's question. Circular 0023/2010 Best Practice Guidelines in SPHE/RSE, specifically refers to the role of visitors to the classroom. Circular letter 0027/08 refers to schools' responsibilities in providing RSE and identifies the topics to be covered (including - Sexual Orientation, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Family Planning (4.1)). In addition, in the context of homophobia and transphobia, I am confident that the recently published guidelines on Anti -bullying Procedures are a comprehensive and practical resource for schools as they work over time to addressing bullying. Together these documents provide guidance to schools on how RSE should be provided to support all students in developing attitudes, beliefs and values about sexuality, sexual identity, relationships and intimacy as a process of personal understanding, growth and social inclusion.
