Cyberbullying Issues

Wednesday, 26 June 2019

Questions (134)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of incidents of online bullying and harassment reported to An Garda Síochána in each of the past five years to date; the extent to which such reports have come through schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27194/19]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the information sought by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A

I refer to the Deputy's Parliamentary Question No. 143 of 26 June 2019 wherein he sought the number of incidents of online bullying and harassment reported to An Garda Síochána in the past five years to date.

The Deputy will recall that I had sought the information from the Garda authorities and I undertook to contact him again when the information was to hand.

The report is now at hand and I am advised by the Garda authorities that there is no structured recording to quantify the number of incidents of online bullying and harassment. However, I am further advised that the following table outlines the number of incidents of harassment, stalking or threats over the last five years as well as a subset of these incidents which are reported to have occurred at a school.

Year	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019*
All Locations	622	634	610	644	708	333
Schools	7	9	11	12	17	7

*Figures are as of 27/06/2019, are operational and subject to change.

I hope this information is of assistance.