Vol. 429 No. 3
247 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Education if she has seen media reports (details supplied) that school yard bullying is linked to TV violence and that an average ten year old is likely to see 80,000 murders on TV; if her attention has been drawn to the growing violence of bullying in the school yard and its attendant consequences; if she is having the matter investigated with a view to finding a solution; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I have seen that and other recent media reporting which indicates the increasing awareness of the problem of bullying in schools.
I would like to inform the Deputy that I have recently established an expert Working Group to draw up strategies to assist schools in combating bullying in primary and post-primary schools. When these guidelines become available they will be discussed with the relevant interest groups, teachers, managers and parents and will be issued to schools in time for the next school year.
