Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, further to her reply to Parliamentary Question No. 131 of 2 October 2007, if relationships and sexual education as part of the SPHE curriculum will be mandatory at primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28464/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The reply of 2 October 2007 dealt with the issue of implementation of Relationships and Sexuality Education in second level schools. The content of the Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum for primary schools was developed as part of the revised Primary Curriculum which has been implemented on a phased basis over the period 1999 to 2007. Social Personal and Health Education has been part of the national curriculum in all primary schools since September 2003. It is delivered to children at all levels from infants upwards. It provides particular opportunities to foster the personal development, health and well-being of the individual child, to help the child to create and maintain supportive relationships and to become an active responsible citizen in society.

The curriculum is built around 3 strands – Myself, Myself and Others, and Myself and the Wider world, and deals with issues such as making decisions, developing self confidence, growing and changing, personal safety, relating to friends, family and others, handling conflict, respecting difference and awareness of bullying. Issues such as knowing about and taking care of one's body, feelings and emotions, the onset of puberty, reproduction, decision making skills, staying safe, realising when and how to get help are dealt with. The content of relationships and sexuality education is embedded in the programme in an age appropriate way for the different class groupings.

All primary schools are required to implement all aspects of the curriculum. A report on Phase 1 of the evaluation of implementation of the revised primary curriculum was published in 2005 focusing on English, Mathematics and Visual Arts. A Phase 2 evaluation is now under way focusing on Gaeilge, Science and Social Personal and Health Education. This will evaluate the implementation of the SPHE curriculum in schools, and review the effectiveness of the delivery of the RSE components within the curriculum.

The evaluation methodology includes a review of school and classroom planning documentation in relation to SPHE, visits to classrooms to observe teaching and learning SPHE, a questionnaire for pupils and a questionnaire to parents The evaluation visits to the schools concerned have taken place and the final phase of data collection and analysis will take place in the coming months. It is expected that the report of the evaluation will be published in summer 2008.