Almost two in three (61pc) student-teachers said they were not receiving enough input on RSE as part of their own education..

This is despite the fact that nearly all of the students (94pc) intended to teach RSE when they started working.

The same study, carried out at Dublin City University (DCU), also found no explicit reference to RSE in a sample of documents used in teacher training programmes.

Researchers from the School of Human Development in DCU Institute of Education explored the provision of sexuality education to student teachers.

While they say teachers play an integral role in RSE, lecturers reported minimal time allocation for RSE on teacher training programmes and it is typically a one-off input.

The report calls for a strengthening of the preparation for RSE in teacher training as well as continuing professional development to ensure all children and young people receive school-based comprehensive, inclusive, rights-based education in the subject.