Dr. Martin Gormley:

Deputy Naughton asked if RSE should be compulsory. We need to recognise that parents are the prime educators. We need to respect the views of parents as well as the student voice in terms of compulsion.

On the main challenges for teachers, we are living in a very different Ireland now. The children and young people who sit in front of teachers today have considerable exposure to the Internet, social media, etc., and this presents serious challenges for teachers. Importantly when teachers are delivering RSE, taking due respect of the characteristic spirit of the school, they must be inclusive and respectful with an emphasis on well-being and trust.

Deputy Naughton also asked about training. We used to have a specific group of teachers who are what we would call SPHE teachers. This is very much changing in schools now with the introduction of the new junior cycle and the whole emphasis on well-being. The junior cycle training under the directorship of Dr. Pádraig Kirk is very much based on a whole-school approach. When there is training on well-being, all the teachers in a school attend. If we are to move forward as educators that is the emphasis we need to have in our schools. It is not just selected teachers who are delivering on SPHE and RSE ultimately. There has to be a whole-school approach.

Deputy Thomas Byrne, who is now in the Chair, asked about an ETB school as a non-designated school and a community school. There is a difference there. We have ETB schools, community colleges and community schools. Community schools come under the remit of the Association of Management of Catholic Secondary Schools, AMCSS. A community college is a school whereby the ETB and a co-trustee go together. The ETB is the patron. I am not sure if the Deputy is referring to a community school or a community college.