Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020
860. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the ESRI-HSE report Talking about Sex and Sexual Behaviour of Young People in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37098/20]
View answer861. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the ESRI-HSE report Talking about Sex and Sexual Behaviour of Young People in Ireland finding that a significant group of young persons are not receiving information or advice from their parents on relationships and sex and its suggestion that initiatives to target quality sex education via internet platforms and television should be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37099/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 860 and 861 together.
I was pleased to launch the report referred to by the Deputy, which provides a welcome addition to our knowledge base in relation to one of the most important elements of growing up.
I welcome the findings of the report, which show good communications between parents and children from a young age can be a significant protective factor around unplanned pregnancy, with, for example, 90% of those who reported having sexual intercourse using contraception the first time.
However, I accept also that that some findings of the report provide cause for concern, with consistent use of contraception being lower than contraception use at first sex, and over 40 per cent of young people not using a condom every time they have sex. It is important also to be aware of the need for supports for families who find the topic difficult to discuss.
A key goal of the National Sexual Health Strategy is that everyone living in Ireland will receive comprehensive, and age-appropriate sexual health education and information. My Department and the HSE's Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP) and HSE Education Lead work closely with our partners in the Department of Education to support health and wellbeing in schools, including supports for the Junior Cycle Wellbeing Curriculum, Social and Personal Health Education (SPHE) and Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE), which is currently being reviewed by the NCCA.
With regard to the type of information campaigns suggested by the Deputy, the SHCPP has implemented a number of sexual health information campaigns aimed at children and young people, in particular through dedicated websites such as sexualwellbeing.ie and B4UDecide.ie. Wider information for young people is also available through SpunOut.ie.
In addition to developing resources for schools and for young people themselves, the HSE and SHCPP also work closely with parents to provide support and information. Alongside the report, a series of additional resources, including Busy Bodies and Making the 'Big Talk' Many Small Talks were also launched. These can be used both in schools and at home, providing advice to parents and teachers on discussing relationships and sexuality with children. For more detailed information on these initiatives, I have also asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
