To ask the Minister of Education for an update on the work his Department is doing as part of the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy.

My department is actively driving forward Action 6 of the ‘Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategic Framework’ and Delivery Plan. Central to this is the development of a Healthy Relationships Action Plan, which will coordinate targeted interventions for children and young people and strengthen their understanding of healthy, respectful relationships.

As part of this work, we are developing a suite of education led actions for schools and education settings. These will ensure that staff feel supported, confident and appropriately equipped with the resources they need to address these issues effectively, and within the limits of their professional role.

Schools are at the forefront of this agenda and as Minister I am committed to ensuring they have the tools required to take this important conversation forward.