Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, a school in Wicklow made headlines after details of its relationships and sexuality education programme came to light detailing the deliberate and conscious aim to exclude and erase LGBTQI+ people and their community. To quote from a document shared with parents from that school, teachers do not cover topics such as contraception and same-sex friendships, and children who ask questions in class on content outside the designated curriculum are encouraged to discuss the issue with their parents. Last week's INTO conference heard that LGBTQI+ teachers continue to live in fear of being themselves in Catholic schools. A recent survey conducted by that organisation found that fewer than one in five LGBTQI+ teachers are "out" to staff, parents and pupils at their school.

In a modern republic, we must have relationships and sexuality education that is informed by best practice, science and healthcare, not religious dogma. We brought legislation through last year and the Taoiseach said it will come back for a Second Reading in nine months. Is that still on track or will the Government bring forward its own legislation to tackle this issue?

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