Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:1329 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the strategy being pursued by the Government to address the problem of bullying (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2467/02]
Vol. 547 No. 1
1329 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the strategy being pursued by the Government to address the problem of bullying (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2467/02]
Individual school management authorities are responsible for implementing effective policies to counter bullying in 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.