Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 15 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 3

Written Answers. - Bullying in the Workplace.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

75 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will ensure that training and workshops will be provided in all agencies to protect, deter and investigate alleged cases of bullying; the measures, if any, taken in this regard and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3983/00]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney):

The Minister for Finance is responding to the question in relation to all Government Departments.

As regards the agencies under the aegis of my Department, they are committed to ensuring a safe working environment for all of their employees. They are fully aware of the need to have policies and procedures to deal with all forms of harassment, including bullying, in place.

All the agencies have developed or are in the process of developing policies and procedures, including training, in relation to bullying. I am satisfied that these will be fully in place across all agencies within the next few months.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

76 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps, if any, taken to encourage Departments and other public bodies to participate in the task force on bullying; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3984/00]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. T. Kitt):

The Task Force on the Prevention of Workplace Bullying, which I set up last September, is composed of representatives of a number of Departments and State agencies who currently have an interest or involvement in the subject matter. Both IBEC and the ICTU are also represented on the task force.

In addition, the task force has accepted submissions from a wide range of interested groups and individuals on the subject of workplace bullying. These submissions were made directly to the task force and in the context of the eight country-wide workshops which were organised over the last five months. These submissions have greatly informed the work of the task force and have helped it to gain as broad a picture as possible of the situation. Participation in these workshops was open to all members of the public.