Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy might come back to me if I do not respond to everything as I did not catch some of it. She mentioned the RSE framework and the timelines. We have given timelines now, and as I said to Senator Warfield, with the best will in the world I can only look at what I have done in the less than two years I have been Minister. I hear the frustration around how long it has taken to bring various specifications etc. to the fore. In that time there has been considerable engagement and reference has been made to the Irish Second-Level Students' Union, ISSU, parents and the widest engagement and consultation. That has fed into these programmes.

I can now say the programmes are moving and we have set those targets. For example, the junior cycle specifications will be published in the next number of weeks, followed by public consultation and implementation for 2023. The primary curriculum framework is due to be published in 2023, with subject specification following. The work has already commenced on the specifications for RSE has already commenced.

I do not wish to repeat myself but I am saying that I have recognised that we cannot wait in the long term for these dates so we have put in place resources online via the toolkit. The Deputy has referenced, along with me, the upskilling and training of staff, either through continuing professional development or the specific postgraduate diploma. The tender process for that is currently taking place and we are hoping to roll it out in the coming months, most likely the second half of the new school term.

That would be around the start of 2023.

The Deputy referred to the importance of the information being given to students. Everything done in the education sector concerning teaching obligations is based on accurate, fair, up-to-date, factual information in all areas. That is the core principle, irrespective of a teacher's subject area. Student access is the core principle here as well. I am determined to ensure students will have that access, irrespective of other considerations. When the arrangements are laid out in the curriculum — the curriculum is the curriculum at the end of the day — factual, accurate information must be delivered in the schools.

Specifically on sexual harassment and violence, we are very conscious of the matter. I referred earlier to the engagement I have had with the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee. Deputy Bríd Smith will be aware that a new action plan on bullying is being drawn by the Department. We have a significant steering group working on it. It will be reporting to me very shortly. There are interim and long-term elements. The specific issues of sexual harassment and identity bullying, including gender stereotyping and gender-identity bullying both in person and, importantly, online, will be part of the review of the current action plan and the new guidelines and specifications that will be issued to schools. A considerable body of work is being done in our schools. I have seen the work in operation in schools. As recently as yesterday, I saw excellent engagement in schools regarding the delivery of programmes, covering topics of sexual health, inclusion and all the issues referred to by the Deputy. The key is to have a curriculum that includes all these aspects. We are doing the work as quickly as we can. I realise the work has taken some time. For that reason, I am pushing consistently so we will meet the targets. I have set the timelines and ensured interim availability of significant resources to schools, including continuing professional development and the toolkit. Resources are also being made available through the postgraduate diplomas.