Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)

I was really pleased to launch the new primary school curriculum this week, something that has been developed for many years in consultation with schools, teachers, parents and also with young people. There is no miscommunication or confusion. We are very clear as to what is in the curriculum. There is a greater emphasis on physical health but there is an emphasis on making sure we support young people's well-being. We want to make sure that we support young people to be resilient but that we also have classrooms that are warm, welcoming and safe.

I am very clear on what is in the curriculum. I wish to be clear on this because there is no confusion other than what the Deputy has just said, which is completely inaccurate. We will talk to young children about puberty. What they have told us is that we are talking to them too late - that it has already happened and there is no point in talking to them in sixth class. That will happen at an earlier stage. We have talked to young people about issues like sexual orientation. We voted for marriage equality ten years ago. We are very clear that we recognise, as we should, same-sex couples and relationships and that is what we will be speaking to young people about.

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