Ms Emer Egan:

We provide very clear guidance to schools on the engagement of outside speakers and, indeed, on the use of resources. We promote that the teaching of all elements of RSE and SPHE take place within the context of a policy that is determined at school level. We provide very clear guidance on how that policy should be developed. It should be a collaborative process between all members of the school community - the board of management, the parents, the teachers and the students, depending on their age. That policy should explore all of the issues associated with the teaching of RSE in the schools.

Where an outside speaker is engaged by a school, he or she should be engaged in the context of delivering a planned and comprehensive programme in the school.

He or she should not be brought in to replace the school programme but to enhance it. It is the responsibility of the school to ensure that outside speakers are aware of the school policy on RSE and child protection and their input should be delivered in that context. No rogue organisation at variance with a school's policy should deliver a programme in the school. We recommend and provide guidance that the class teacher should always be present in the class in order that he or she is aware of what is being delivered and will know if any aspect of school policy has been breached and needs to be addressed. We advise that material used by outside speakers should be checked in advance to ensure that it is in line with school policy and should be available to parents. Parents should be informed if an external speaker is engaged. Programmes delivered by visitors or external agencies must use appropriate evidence-based methodologies with clear educational outcomes. We have provided very clear guidance to schools on how to use external agencies.