Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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348. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the policy of allowing schools to alter their relationship and sexuality education according to their ethos and instead implement a required minimum including such topics as consent, sexual assault and LGBT subjects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19976/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Section 9(b) of the Education Act 1998 requires schools to provide the curriculum as prescribed by my Department. Currently, that includes the requirement to provide a Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) programme for all students. The RSE programme is delivered in the context of Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) for students from primary to the end of Junior Cycle.  A separate RSE Programme is in place for Senior Cycle.  

The right of schools to uphold their ethos and characteristic spirit is protected in a number of laws (Section 15.2 (b) of Section 7 of The Equal Status Act, 2000; for example) and it is recognised by my Department that RSE will be delivered within the characteristic spirit of the school. The school’s RSE policy, which should be developed and reviewed in partnership with parents and, as appropriate, students, should clarify how RSE is to be provided in accordance with the ethos of the school. It remains a requirement, however, that all aspects of the RSE curriculum, including those in relation to sexual orientation, contraception, sexually transmitted infections etc should be covered.

Through RSE, formal opportunities are provided for students to acquire knowledge and understanding of human sexuality.  While gender and gender orientation are not designated topics in the SPHE syllabuses, those syllabuses do provide opportunities for teachers to explore at an age appropriate level the questions set out in your email.  The topics included are intended to develop in students respect for one’s own sexuality and the sexuality of others.  

The SPHE Support Service has worked collaboratively with GLEN and BelongTo and the HSE to develop a resource, “Growing up lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender” for use by RSE classes at both junior and senior cycle levels. It includes lesson plans which will support students to achieve a better understanding of the concepts of gender identity and transgender. The menu of in-service courses offered by the SPHE Support Service to schools also includes the topics of sexual orientation and homophobic bullying.

There is the option to opt out of SPHE under Section 30.2 (e) of the Education Act 1998, which does not oblige any student to attend instruction in any subject which is contrary to the conscience of the parent of the student, or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student.