Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I do not want to repeat a question that may have been asked earlier but regarding education, my real concern, which goes back to the interactive point, is that the quality of the teaching will be crucial in this and whether the person delivering the programmes can engage with young people in a real way and not preach at them. I want to ask a question specifically to do with qualifications. Is there a formal accreditation and recognition for SPHE-RSE teachers? Does every school have a designated SPHE-RSE co-ordinator? In other words, is there that professionalism?

The third point is that we hear about these outside bodies coming in. Do they have to be professionally trained? If one is presenting a curriculum in any other subject one must be appropriately trained and educated, have had CPD or whatever. I ask the Department about that because I believe the time has come not to allow outside groups to come in unless they are appropriately trained to deal with the delicate issues around young people's sexuality and the ability to communicate with young people.