Ms Emer Egan:

All I will say is that over the years we have as a Department on a number of occasions articulated to schools their responsibilities in the area of RSE and have continued to develop the curricula. We also monitor implementation in schools and offer advice to schools on how to improve their provision, so our engagement with schools in that area is an ongoing process. Yes, there is provision for school ethos to have an influence but most of the RSE programme is about helping children to develop their relationships with others, to get to know themselves and how their bodies work and to develop their self-worth and self-efficacy. No matter the stage at which one is in a school and no matter where the school is, these elements are really good educational outcomes to try to achieve.