Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 2

Written Answers. - School Discipline.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

186 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if recent studies have been carried out with a view to identification of the extent of school bullying at primary and second level schools throughout the country; the measures taken or proposed to combat the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3073/02]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

187 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of school bullying incidents reported in County Kildare in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3074/02]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 187 together.

I am not aware of any recent studies carried out to identify the extent of school bullying at primary and second level schools. Schools are not required to report incidents of bullying to my Department. Therefore, the information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department.

Individual school management authorities are responsible for implementing effective policies to counter bullying in schools. In 1993 my Department issued, Guidelines on Countering Bullying Behaviour, to all primary and post-primary schools. The purpose of the guidelines was to assist schools in devising school based measures to prevent and deal with instances of bullying behaviour and to increase awareness of the problem among school management authorities, staff, pupils and parents. A further circular in 1994 reminded school authorities of their responsibility in formulating a written code of behaviour and discipline, which should include specific measures to counter bullying behaviour.

The report on discipline, commissioned by my Department and completed by Dr. Maeve Martin, deals comprehensively with the issue of discipline in schools, and sets out models of best practice in this area. A copy of the report has been made available to all schools.

Furthermore, where staff within my Department receive telephone calls regarding instances of bullying, advice and assistance are offered by staff to the callers. In addition, my Department will examine specific complaints regarding alleged instances of bullying behaviour, but only after every effort has been made at school level to resolve the matter. In addition the national educational psychological service is available as a support service to schools in relation to individual students who encounter difficulties.

Top
Share