Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
357. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures being taken to improve education and awareness around men's health issues within the primary and secondary school curriculum; whether her Department plans to expand age-appropriate men's health education in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53732/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra358. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has reviewed the extent to which men's health issues are covered in the SPHE and RSE curricula; the steps being taken to ensure students receive comprehensive and evidence-based education on these topics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53733/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 358 together.
Health education is mainly done through the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum. The SPHE curriculum aims to equip students with the knowledge, understanding, skills, dispositions and values that will support them to lead fulfilling and healthy lives.
SPHE does not teach “men's health” as a separate topic but issues relating to the health of boys and men are addressed within the various strands and learning outcomes within SPHE. These include in particular health and wellbeing, relationships and sexuality and emotional wellbeing.
The updated Primary Wellbeing curriculum, which includes SPHE, aims to teach children about healthy living, human development, safety, and media and digital wellbeing. The Wellbeing specification promotes healthy and active living.
In the updated Junior Cycle SPHE specification, which was introduced into schools in 2023, the ‘Making Healthy Choices’ strands aims to teach students to consider the multifaceted nature of health and wellbeing, and evaluate what being healthy might look like for different adolescents, including how food, physical activity, sleep/rest and hygiene contribute to health and wellbeing, as well as to investigate how unhealthy products such as nicotine, vapes, alcohol, and unhealthy food and drinks are marketed and advertised. Students are also taught about emotional wellbeing and about healthy and unhealthy relationships, for example.
In updated Senior Cycle SPHE specification, published in 2024 and to be introduced to all schools on a phased basis by September 2027, students explore the factors that influence their physical, social, spiritual, emotional and mental wellbeing and the relationships between these. They will learn ways to take care of themselves and stay as healthy as possible, with a particular focus on gaining awareness, skills, techniques and information to protect their mental health.
