Bullying in Schools

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 November 2011

Wednesday, 16 November 2011

Ceisteanna (15, 16)

Michael Colreavy

Ceist:

15 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the rise in incidents of alleged child bullying and the role of some principals and staff in schools; if he understands the adverse impact of such incidents on students and their families; his views that some parents feel that their only recourse for justice is via civil law; if and when he proposes to introduce legislation to ensure that school principals, staff and boards of management can be held to account for their action or inaction in relation to issues of child welfare and bullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34864/11]

Michael Colreavy

Ceist:

25 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the recourse available to a victim of serious school bullying in cases when the school authorities may have contributed to the problem and the school board of management have not successfully resolved the issues arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34865/11]

Freagraí ó Béal (4 píosaí cainte)

Deputy Ruairí Quinn

I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 25 together.

There is no requirement for school authorities to report incidents or allegations of bullying to my Department. My Department therefore does not maintain data in this regard. Section 23 of the Education Welfare Act 2000 requires all schools to have a code of behaviour. The Act further requires that such a code be prepared in accordance with the guidelines of the National Education Welfare Board, which were issued to schools in 2008. These state clearly that each school must have policies to prevent or address bullying within the framework of its overall school code of behaviour and discipline.

I have no plans to introduce any additional legislation as suggested by the Deputy. I am, however, committed to supporting schools in tackling bullying, and it is for that reason that a wide range of supports are in place to assist schools in dealing with this important issue.

Deputy Michael Colreavy

While the Minister and I are here today exchanging questions and answers about education policy and legislation, there is a 15 year old child in my constituency who has been taught at home for the last two years because he has not been able to get back to school. The Minister is familiar with the case because I sent the file over to him. He has all the medical, psychological and psychiatric evidence of the damage that has been done to that child. The parents have devoted their lives to efforts to get this matter resolved. There was an incident between the school principal and the child. The parents have been to the board of management, the National Education Welfare Service and the Department of Education and Skills, but nobody seems to be able to resolve this. The problem is that the current system holds boards of management primarily responsible for standards in the school even if a complaint is made against a member of the board. It is the equivalent of the police investigating the police.

Deputy Ruairí Quinn

I will examine this issue again. I am not familiar with all the details, but I am very concerned about what the Deputy has said and I will take a personal interest in the matter. The amount of time this impasse has existed is simply unacceptable in a democratic republic. I will find out exactly what the situation is. I thank the Deputy for bringing the matter to my attention.

Deputy Michael Colreavy

I thank the Minister. I would be happy to meet with him to discuss this matter because I am very worried about this child and others like him the length and breadth of the State.