Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the consultations she has had with the Department of Education and Science on the content and delivery of health and sexuality education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10438/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) is embedded in the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum in primary schools and in junior cycle. In senior cycle, schools are required to deliver an RSE programme. The content of the SPHE programme, including RSE, is agreed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.

The Department of Education and Science and the Department of Health and Children work in partnership in relation to the promotion and protection of the health of children and young people in the school setting in the context of curriculum development, teacher education and related policy development. An Inter-Departmental Group, comprising representatives from both Departments and the Health Service Executive, is in place to facilitate this partnership. All areas of SPHE in schools are overseen by the SPHE Management Committee at post primary level and the Primary Curriculum Support Programme (PCSP) at primary level. The SPHE Management Committee and the PCSP National Co-ordinator report to the Inter-Departmental Group on a periodic basis. The Inter-Departmental Group continues to meet on a regular basis.