Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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98. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the teaching of social, personal and health education and its progression as a subject on the curriculum for the senior cycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18740/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Social Personal Health Education (SPHE) curriculum is mandatory at primary level and up to junior cycle at post-primary level. Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) is embedded within SPHE at Junior Cycle level. A framework for Senior Cycle SPHE is available to schools and while its implementation is not mandatory, schools are required to provide an Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) programme in Senior Cycle.

Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE), Physical Education (PE), and Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE), along with guidance will be included in a new area of learning called Junior Cycle Wellbeing programme from September 2017. A school's Wellbeing programme will provide learning opportunities that enhance the physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing of students.

The SPHE curriculum aims to provide a range of generic skills such as communicating, making decisions, knowing where to find reliable data, belonging and integrating, handling conflict constructively, dealing with bullying, expressing feelings and emotions, substance abuse, resisting peer pressure, personal safety, values and mutual respect.