Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Education about domestic and gender-based violence is addressed in the SPHE curriculum at both junior cycle and senior cycle. An updated junior cycle SPHE specification was rolled out in schools from September 2023, with all schools required to provide the subject for all junior cycle students. An updated senior cycle SPHE specification was published in 2024 and is being introduced on a phased basis, with all schools required to provide the subject at senior cycle by September 2027.

The introduction of these updated SPHE specifications is recognised as a key action within the prevention pillar of Zero Tolerance: The Third National Strategy for Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. It is one of a number of actions in the implementation of the strategy that are led by my Department, reflecting its commitment to the aims of zero tolerance.

Learning in SPHE is designed to be appropriate to the age and stage of development of students. At junior cycle, there are relevant learning outcomes across the various strands of SPHE, including in relation to respectful relationships, identifying the signs of healthy, unhealthy and abusive relationships, the importance of consent and of boundaries within relationships, and being able to recognise different kinds of abusive behaviour. The updated senior cycle SPHE specification includes learning about the common signs of abusive relationships, including coercive control, understanding the root causes and consequences of gender-based violence and the supports available, and image-based abuse.

Recognising the sensitivity of these and other issues addressed within the SPHE programme, the introduction of these updated specifications continues to be supported by an extensive programme of teacher professional learning offered by Oide. There have been more than 10,000 teacher interactions at these sessions since 2023. In addition, 104 teachers so far have participated in the DCU graduate diploma in SPHE and RSE, which offers post-primary teachers the opportunity to upskill in this very important subject area.

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