Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I agree it is a very valuable programme and it is desirable that all schools would agree to have it implemented. As I noted, it is not just a programme administered between the classroom teacher and the children because it also involves parents, the wider community and teacher training. All those need to sign up for the programme to be part of the school. The current high take-up is very encouraging, as is the fact that we have the guidelines, and so much of the programme is now incorporated into the SPHE programme. All that is very positive.

I will keep the programme under review. Over the weekend I looked at the various books for the different classes and I cannot see why anyone would object to teaching the programme or why any parent would object to his or her child being taught the programme. It can be taught very sensitively in the context of the school ethos and I strongly encourage and recommend that all schools implement the programme.

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