Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 June 2015
22. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will issue a circular on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and homophobic bullying in educational institutions, in view of the support in the recent referendum for marriage equality for persons with these orientations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22031/15]
View answerMy Department published new Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools at the beginning of the 2013/14 school year. These procedures are designed to give direction and guidance to school authorities and school personnel in preventing and tackling school-based bullying behaviour amongst its pupils. The procedures recognise that a positive school culture and climate is key and set out a very practical way on what schools must do to prevent and deal with bullying. The procedures include a number of specific measures in respect of homophobic bullying including a requirement on all schools to have in place education and prevention strategies that explicitly deal with homophobic and transphobic bullying. All primary and post primary schools are required to adopt and implement an anti-bullying policy that fully complies with the requirements of the procedures. A template policy is provided in the procedures to help facilitate schools in this regard.
