Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Níl sé ar fáil. Tháinig mé amach ó chruinniú Rialtais. I just came from a Government meeting. I apologise for this. I am digressing a good bit so what I am saying it not exactly what is in the script. I am adopting my usual delivery.

The NCCA is also working directly with schools to examine the experience of RSE in the classroom. Let us call a spade a spade. Within every school, the student body studies a hierarchy of subjects on the basis of the prominence of one subject over the other. In terms of status, we need to ensure RSE is accepted as an important priority subject when we get this together. It is fundamental for people who are learning to grapple with the challenges of life but it is also fundamental to the personal development of young people as they go through the student cycle, be it in primary or secondary school.

The NCCA review, which took place between June 2018 and March 2019, addresses the key issues raised in the joint committee's report. The report has contributed greatly to the evidence gathering process for the NCCA review, and that diverse opinion is important. The consultation process is open until 25 October. I reiterate that no decision will be made on this curriculum until that report is delivered. There is still time for people’s voices to be heard. Today, I encouraged my colleagues in the Departments of Health and Justice and Equality to pass on the formal findings and challenges they have in their Departments, whether it be it in the area of health, nutrition, domestic violence or consent. Those Departments have a role to play and it is important their voices are formally communicated to the NCCA.

It is appropriate that the time has been taken to carry out a major review of the way we educate our young people about relationships and sexuality. Issues such as contraception, sexuality and consent need to be taught in a way that not only acknowledges our changing society but also addresses issues that arise in society that indicate a lack of understanding of these issues. Understanding them is fundamental. Consent is not just about how we treat other people, it is also about how we respect ourselves and other individuals. My personal belief is that to respect others, one must start to respect oneself while understanding what is appropriate and not appropriate and what is right and wrong behaviour. That can be taught at an early stage.

It is vitally important that our education system prepares our young people for life in a society that values each individual’s sexual orientation, respects decisions regarding contraception and understands consent. We all recognise relationship and sexuality education in this country. It must be fit for purpose and meet the needs of our young people in a modern Ireland. With that caveat, we hold very close to our hearts the proud tradition of a legacy of education, which holds the fundamentals very close to us. They will continue to be front and centre of anything that appears new in a curriculum. That is to do with respect, dignity, compassion and the fundamentals of understanding.

There is a great deal of uncertainty about what is currently taught in schools in RSE. Currently, schools are obliged to teach all elements of the curriculum. No element can be omitted on the grounds of school ethos or characteristic spirit. SPHE and RSE are integral parts of the new well-being programme in the junior cycle. Every student in our schools has a right to access information about sexual health, relationships and sexuality.

We acknowledge the commitment of teachers and recognise their professional expertise in dealing with this difficult topic. We also must ensure that whatever road we go down, they have the required capacity, training and continuous professional development. I am encouraged constantly by the yearning and appetite among the teaching community to equip themselves with the specific skills needed to deal with so many complex issues. I attended an event this morning in Athlone Education Centre where I heard at first hand their hunger to work with their colleagues and enable them to be equipped to do the job they need to do.

I acknowledge the extensive resource materials prepared by a number of organisations to support the implementation of the curriculum in areas concerning RSE.

This includes the HSE, the Gay and Lesbian Education Network and the sexual health and crisis pregnancy programme. There are some excellent resources available to teachers to support them in delivering the relationships and sexuality education, RSE, curriculum. TRUST, teaching relationships, understanding sexuality teaching for senior cycle, a resource developed by the HSE, may be used to supplement RSE at senior level. This resource focuses on consent through topics dealing with loving relationships, intimacy, assertive communication, understanding boundaries, communicating boundaries, without consent and when sexual assault becomes a reality.

The development of the LGBTI+ youth strategy was a key commitment from the Department for Children and Youth Affairs in the programme for Government. It also contributes towards the Government’s broader commitment to continue to strive for full inclusion of LGBTI+ people in Ireland. The Department of Education and Skills inputted to that process. We must also acknowledge the role parents play in the education of their children. RSE provided in schools, coupled with education provided at home by parents, is associated with the best outcomes for students.

See this speech in context