Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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59. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she intends to bring forth legislation that will standardise the teaching of relationship and sexual education across all publicly funded Irish schools. [58616/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I am fully committed to ensuring that every child and young person has access to modern, inclusive sex education. This is echoed by the Programme for Government, which commits to the development of inclusive and age-appropriate Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) and Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curricula across primary and post-primary levels, including making appropriate legislative changes, if necessary. This reflects that access to sexual and health education is an important right for students. It is equally as important that this education meets the needs of students in their day-to-day lives and that it reflects models of best practice.

In terms of standardisation, schools are required by circular 0037/2010 to teach all aspects of the RSE Programme, including family planning, sexually transmitted infections and sexual orientation.

In giving effect to this commitment, the Department of Education's first focus has been on the development of inclusive and age-appropriate curricula and it continues to work closely with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) in that regard.

A draft revised Junior Cycle specification was published by the NCCA and a consultation process was run from 18 July 2022 to 18 October 2022. The consultation took feedback from teachers and students as well as other interested groups and individuals. It is expected that the NCCA will finalise the Junior Cycle specification by the end of the year for presentation to the NCCA Council for approval early in 2023. The aim is that it will be implemented in schools in September 2023.

This curriculum is a significant overhaul of the existing specification and specifically address issues such as pornography, sexual and gender-based violence, LGBTQI+ issues and sexual health.

In relation to Senior Cycle, preparation to update the SPHE/RSE specification has commenced. In October, a background paper was published for consultation on the NCCA website. The NCCA intends that the Senior Cycle draft specification itself will be available for public consultation by next summer, with a view to being ready for implementation in schools in September 2024.

I would urge everyone to take the opportunity to engage in the public consultation for the Senior Cycle SPHE. Consultation on the background paper remains open until the 6th of December. There will be another opportunity for consultation next year when the draft specification itself is published.

Following publication of the new Primary Curriculum Framework, expected in early 2023, NCCA will establish a development group for the curricular area of Wellbeing in primary schools.

I have no doubt that, when finalised, the updated, evidence-based specifications across Primary, Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle will provide a modern and appropriate curriculum that reflects current, day to day challenges, and that will be in place across all schools to equip our students with the knowledge and skills that they need to make informed, healthy life choices.