Vol. 560 No. 2
51 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether fear of culpability by the admission of bullying by school boards of managements is limiting the reporting of the true extent in our schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2263/03]
Individual school management authorities are responsible for implementing effective policies to counter bullying in schools. The Guidelines on Countering Bullying Behaviour, which my Department issued to all primary and post-primary schools in 1993, sets out procedures for noting and reporting incidents of bullying behaviour within the school.
School management authorities are not required to report to the Department on incidences of bullying. Therefore, the issue raised by the Deputy of fear of culpability by boards of management does not arise.
Question No. 52 answered with Question No. 13.
