Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 May 2012
67 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he believes that need to be taken to prevent homophobic bullying of teachers and students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25911/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra92 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which the number of reports of school bullying at primary and second level continue to be monitored; the extent to which follow up or positive intervention continues to be made; the success or otherwise of such acts of intervention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26121/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra95 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps that are being taken to address the issue of cyber bullying in schools at primary or second level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26124/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 67, 92 and 95 together.
Tackling the issue of bullying in schools is a key objective of this Government.
It was for this reason that, on 9 April last, I announced details of an Anti-bullying Forum to explore ways to tackle the serious problem of bullying in schools. As the Deputy is aware, this Anti-Bullying Forum bringing together a range of experts, support groups and representatives of the schools sector including parents and students was held on last Thursday 17th May.
I was very pleased to open this important Forum and to provide an opportunity to explore with all the relevant stakeholders how best to tackle bullying in schools and to consider what changes or updating of existing practices and procedures are required to achieve this having regard to what is feasible to implement in the current financial climate.
The range of speakers on the day of the Forum included contributions from my Department, Professor Mona O'Moore of the Anti-Bullying Centre, Trinity College, representatives of the National Anti-Bullying Coalition (NABC), and contributors from the school sector from the various perspectives of school principal, parent and pupil. The Forum also gave other stakeholders an opportunity to give their views.
The proceedings of the Forum were broadcast live over the internet and recordings of the day's events can be now viewed by accessing the Anti-Bullying Forum webpage of my Department's website www.education.ie. The presentations of the various speakers can also be viewed and downloaded from this page.
In addition to holding the Forum itself, I have invited the stakeholders and any other interested parties to submit their views on this important topic to my Department by 29th June 2012. Full details of how this can be done are available on the Anti-Bullying Forum webpage on my Department's website www.education.ie.
I have also established a working group on tackling bullying in schools, including homophobic bullying, cyber bullying and racist bullying. The outcomes and recommendations from the Forum will now assist the working group in its deliberations. This working group includes representatives of the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, and will draw upon the expertise of a range of organisations throughout their work.
