Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 May 1995

Vol. 452 No. 3

Written Answers. - Relationships and Sexual Education Programme.

Síle de Valera

Ceist:

20 Miss de Valera asked the Minister for Education if she has removed from the National Council for Curriculum Assessment responsibility for the development of a relationships and sexual education programme by assigning this issue to a special committee established under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7955/95]

Liz O'Donnell

Ceist:

25 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Education the further progress, if any, she has made in relation to the implementation of the sex education guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7933/95]

Mary Coughlan

Ceist:

34 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Education if she has removed the National Council for Curriculum Assessment from responsibility for the development of relationships and sexual education programme by assigning this issue to a special committee established under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7890/95]

Chris Flood

Ceist:

49 Mr. Flood asked the Minister for Education if she has removed from the National Council for Curriculum Assessment responsibility for the development of a relationships and sexual education programme by assigning this issue to a special committee established under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7954/95]

Ray Burke

Ceist:

51 Mr. R. Burke asked the Minister for Education when the National Council for Curriculum Assessment curricular programme on relationships and sexual education will be available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7951/95]

Seamus Brennan

Ceist:

52 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Education the in-service arrangements the budgetary provision decided on for the introduction of the Relationships and Sexual Education Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7952/95]

David Andrews

Ceist:

58 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Education the in-service arrangements the budgetary provision decided on for the introduction of the Relationships and Sexual Education Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7953/95]

Hugh Byrne

Ceist:

67 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Education when the National Council for Curriculum Assessment curricular programme on relationships and sexual education will be available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7950/95]

Mary Coughlan

Ceist:

69 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Education the in-service arrangements and budgetary provision decided on for the introduction of the Relationships and Sexual Education Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7889/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 25, 34, 49, 51, 52, 58, 67 and 69 together.

I have not removed any responsibility from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment for the Relationships and Sexuality Education Programme. I should explain that there are three groups currently working with my Department on the implementation of the Relationships and Sexuality Programme.

First, I have asked the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to develop curriculum guidelines, teaching and learning strategies and assessment-evaluation procedures. I have also asked the council to compile a list of all available resource materials. Second, I have established an implementation group, representative of the Department of Education, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and the Partners in Education. This group will make recommendations in regard to the necessary supports for school policy development and implementation, including a broad strategy for in-service provision. Third, I have established an interdepartmental group, representative of the Department of Education and the Department of Health. This group has been established to identify all initiatives relating to health education currently under way in primary and post-primary schools with a view to further development and dissemination of good practice.

The three groups have distinct but complementary tasks and the work of all three is progressing. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has indicated that initial guidelines will be available within the next month and the report of the implementation group is expected before the end of May.

A programme of in-service training in connection with the Relationship and Sexuality Education Programme will be initiated without delay following receipt of the report of the implementation group and the guidelines being prepared by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. I have arranged for my Department's in-career development unit to allocate specific funding for this purpose. The budgetary provision for the introduction of a programme of relationships and sexuality education will be finalised when I have considered the recommendations made by the three groups.