Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 June 2004
135 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps he intends to take to address the issue of school bullying in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16751/04]
View answerMy Department is not aware of any allegations of bullying in respect of this pupil. In general, individual school management authorities are responsible for implementing effective policies to counter bullying in schools. In 1993, my Department issued a circular, 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 National Educational Psychological Service is also available as a support service to schools as regards individual students who encounter difficulties.
