Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

In regard to Deputy Ring's last question, an effective social, personal and health education, SPHE, programme is operating in every school. It is taught to junior certificate level and the National Council for Curriculum Assessment is now working on developing a programme for senior cycle. As I noted earlier, valuable programmes are being rolled out at local level and in-service training for teachers is being provided by the Department of Education and Science and the support team for the SPHE programme.

In respect of resources for the Customs and Excise, I am unsure whether the Deputy is referring to matters such as scanners but I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners and the Customs and Excise that the resources they seek are made available to them. They are working closely with coastal communities and ports authorities to ensure drugs are intercepted.

The report in the The Sunday Tribune is worrying. Classified drugs were ordered over the internet, paid for in cash and sent through the regular postal service. I have already had discussions with officials in my Department and the national drugs strategy team and we will meet next week to address this and other issues. I will not pretend for one minute that it will be easily addressed but it is a worrying development. I would discourage the practice because it is highly dangerous and entirely illegal but stopping it is easier said than done.

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