Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has heavily criticised the length of time being taken to change Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) and claimed it could be five years before a new curriculum is rolled out in primary schools. The TD believes RSE should be compulsory.

Education Minister Norma Foley had told Ms Carroll MacNeill in a parliamentary answer last month that work on the curriculum would be completed in early 2025 before being given to the minister.

“A primary curriculum framework that only comes back to the minister in 2025 means no roll-out until when — 2027? That means that any kid born already can be certain not to have it ready for their entry into junior infants,” Ms Carroll MacNeill told the Sunday Independent.

“I think we need more urgency than that. I hope the third strategy publication will put a fire under the department in delivering this. I don’t know what else will.”

“Five years from now is simply too much,” Ms Carroll MacNeill said.