I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 3 together.
Bullying in schools is an issue of particular concern to me. It is a most complex and difficult problem and this is recognised in the depth and detail of our national policy which was prepared by an expert working group and put in place in 1993 following consultation with the partners in Education. The policy includes guidelines which were issued to all schools and are available to the public from my Department.
The guidelines on countering bullying behaviour and the policy which they underpin have attracted much favourable comment. Indeed Ireland was to the fore in producing national guidelines of this type and they have been of real assistance to schools in dealing with this issue.
We must constantly review our approach and learn from the practical experience of those closest to the problem. I have now decided to review the present guidelines and as a first step I have asked the partners in education to submit their observations to me. The nationwide study of Bullying in first and second level schools conducted by Trinity College, which was considered at the recent International Conference on Bullying in Trinity College, will also make a significant contribution to the review. The review will be conducted in consultation with the Partners during the current school year.
The Deputies will be aware that I have increased significantly the availability of guidance counselling in schools. I regard this additional resource as being central to the strategy of countering bullying.