Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020
490. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which bullying has been identified in academia; the actions taken in response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31671/20]
View answerOur higher education institutions are autonomous bodies within the meaning of their legislation and the management of their affairs are matters for the individual institutions. However, it is incumbent upon the institutions to have in place proper policies and procedures which provide a mechanism for staff and students to resolve any grievances and complaints they may have with regard to college life.
Our higher education institutions have a duty of care to their students and staff, and a responsibility to foster a campus culture that is clear in the condemnation of unwanted and unacceptable behaviours, which act as barriers to their safety and their active participation in college life.
On 4 August 2020 I wrote to the Presidents of all publicly funded higher education institutions (HEIs) requesting that all HEIs develop and publish, by February 2021, specific institutional action plans on tackling sexual violence and harassment. These actions plans will involve the implementation of systems that record the number of incidents of bullying, intimidation or harassment including sexual harassment reported in each HEI. The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has oversight of the Framework for Consent in HEIs, and these statistics will be reported annually to the HEA once the HEI action plans are in place.
I have also requested that a survey be undertaken on harassment, sexual harassment and bullying of both staff and students in the higher education institutions. The planning of this survey has commenced, and the HEA is consulting with the HEIs representative bodies, the Irish Universities Association and the Technological Higher Education Association in this regard.
I am committed to ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all staff and students in our Higher Education Institutions, and the steps I am undertaking, I believe, will contribute significantly to this.
