National Anti Bullying Centre (DCU) meets with Education Committee

Today’s discussion is the seventh of a series of committee meetings that will see key stakeholders come before the committee through to the end of June.

The National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre is a University designated research centre located in DCU’s Institute of Education. The Centre is known globally for its research excellence in bullying and online safety. The Centre is home to scholars with a global reputation as leaders in the fields of bullying, cyberbullying, and digital harassment.

Speaking in advance of the meeting, Cathaoirleach, Paul Kehoe TD, said: “The Committee continues its important discussion on School Bullying and the Impact on Mental Health. Now our seventh meeting, we hope to continue our exploration and debate on these important issues. Over the previous weeks, the Committee has had valuable insights into the challenges faced in dealing with bullying and creating positive school cultures. We got to hear from students, School Management and patron Bodies, psychologists and psychotherapists, bodies that represent Primary and Secondary School Principals and Deputy Principals and discussed international learnings and evidence.”

The Cathaoirleach added, “Today is a very special day for the Committee. It held a seminal meeting with DCU Anti Bullying Centre on 5 November 2020, the first UN International Day against School Bullying, that had a profound impact on everyone present and prompted this examination.

The Committee welcomes the chance to hear from the DCU Anti Bullying Centre again and to find out more about their FUSE Anti-Bullying and Online Safety Programme. A programme that helps schools tackle bullying and online safety and to help children and adolescents understand their behaviour, recognise bullying, online safety risks and be secure in the knowledge in how to report and look for support. We also look forward to getting the centres insight into Identity bullying, cyberbullying and implementing Policies that could be transformative in children and young people’s lives.’

The meeting at 3:30 pm will be broadcast from Committee Room 4 of Leinster House.

The Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

You can view the meeting in Committee Room 4 on the Oireachtas website.

More information can be found on the dedicated Committee Webpage. Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.