Vol. 518 No. 4
39 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of complaints received by his Department during the last school year regarding bullying at primary and second levels; the steps he will take to counter bullying in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11738/00]
Individual school management authorities are charged with the direct governance of schools. In 1993 my Department issued guidelines on countering bullying behaviour to all primary and post-primary schools. The purpose of the guidelines was to assist schools in devising school based measures to prevent and deal with instances of bullying behaviour and to increase awareness of the problem among school management authorities, staff, pupils and parents. A further circular in 1994 reminded school authorities of their responsibility in formulating a written code of behaviour and discipline which should include specific measures to counter bullying behaviour.
Individual school management authorities are responsible for implementing effective policies to counter bullying in schools. Management authorities are not required to notify my Department of bullying cases in schools.
However, my Department receives telephone calls on a regular basis regarding reports of alleged instances of bullying. These calls are informal inquiries and advice and assistance is offered by departmental staff to the callers. In addition my Department will examine specific complaints regarding alleged instances of bullying behaviour, but only after every effort has been made at school level to resolve the matter. In the 12 month period from July 1998 to June 1999, my Department examined approximately 20 cases of alleged bullying behaviour.
