Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 November 2012
268. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date of the Working Group on Bullying; when he expects this group to complete its work and publish new recommendations regarding tackling bullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49570/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlongside the Anti-Bullying Forum which took place in May 2012, I established a working group to examine issues related to tackling all forms and types of bullying in schools. As you are probably aware, there is a specific commitment in the Programme for Government to address the very serious issue of homophobic bullying in schools and this is part of the working groups remit. I invited stakeholders and all interested parties to submit their views for consideration by the Working Group. Over 60 submissions have been received. The outcomes and recommendations from the Forum, along with the submissions received from interested parties, are assisting the working group in its deliberations.
The Group is chaired by a Principal Officer in my Department's Central Policy Unit and includes representatives from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Irish Second-Level Students' Union, GLEN (Gay and Lesbian Equality Network) and BeLonG To Youth Services. My Department's Inspectorate, School Governance Section and my office are also represented on the Group.
Over the last few months, the Group has been consulting with a range of stakeholders and with colleagues in Scotland and the UK. The Group are working on an action plan recommending further measures that can be taken to effectively tackle bullying in schools. I expect the Group to submit the action plan to me by the end of November.
