Dr. Martin Gormley:

To respond to Deputies Jan O'Sullivan and Paul Murphy and Senator Ruane, in terms of characteristic spirit and that, the first thing in respect of Education and Training Boards Ireland is that the large majority of our schools are ETB schools and non-designated. We have a small minority of designated community colleges under our patronage. The question concerned whether the RSE programme should be devoid of characteristic spirit. It is important that parents are consulted on how RSE is delivered and the space within which it exists. The primary school RSE curriculum was introduced in 1999 and the post-primary curriculum came in in 2000. Each board of management has an RSE policy on which parents and students are consulted. It is a stakeholders' policy. We often refer to parents as partners in education. Increasingly, students are also being recognised in respect of the contribution they can make as a student voice, which is also important. In terms of characteristic spirit, then, should RSE be devoid of it completely? What we have to recognise is that it is important to consult and work with parents on the delivery of the RSE programme.