Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 February 2013
11. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the role her Department will play in the recently launched Action Plan on Bullying; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7335/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe scale of bullying in Ireland remains a matter of grave concern. This is borne out by recent research findings:
- My Department’s 'Growing Up in Ireland' study has found how over 24% of 9 to 17 year olds have reported been bullied.
- The Anti-Bullying Centre in Trinity College has found how one in four girls and one in six boys in Ireland have been involved in cyber-bullying either as a victim, bully or both.
- Research commissioned by the GLEN (Gay & Lesbian Equality Network) & BeLonG To on the experiences of young LGBT people in Irish schools has found that 58% reported the existence of homophobic bullying in their schools.
Bullying can have a terrible and corrosive impact on our children and young people, on their confidence, learning outcomes, self-esteem and mental health. The affects of bullying can last for years. Sadly, in some case they can result in the loss of young lives. In recent times we have learned of a number of very tragic cases where bullying was involved. On behalf of the Government and on my own behalf I wish extend my sympathies to the families and friends of the young people who have died.
As Minister for Children & Youth Affairs I am committed to working with colleagues in Government to ensure that integrated policy responses to combat bullying are high on our agenda. The new Children First guidelines which I published last year now, for the first time, recognises the problem of bullying.
Last month Minister Quinn and I launched the Action Plan on Bullying. This is the first plan of its kind and aims to address the serious impact of bullying on our children and young people. The publication of this plan is an important step in the Government’s absolute commitment to working with a broad base of interests to protect children and ensuring a safer childhood.
The Action Plan recognises that as bullying is no longer limited to classrooms, we have to have a broader approach also. That means making sure that wherever young people are, they’re protected by safety guidelines. It means making sure that wherever young people are, they are supported by an anti-bullying ethos and an Anti Bullying Framework.
In line with the Action Plan, my Department will lead the development of Anti Bullying Framework to support young people, parents, schools, teachers and youth worker.
The Anti Bullying Framework will be development and prioritised within the context of the new whole-of-government Children and Young People’s Policy Framework which my Department is leading on and which is due be published later this year.
My Department will work with the Department of Education and Skills in the development of an anti-bullying website, as recommended in the plan, to provide a single point of access to practical advice for parents, children and teachers to support them in tackling and reporting bullying behaviours, including cyberbullying.
In recognising the lead role of schools in tackling bullying and their need for support and guidance, The National Education Welfare Board, which now comes under my Department’s remit, has issued guidelines requiring each school must have policies to prevent or address bullying and schools must make clear in their code of behaviour that bullying is unacceptable. Compliance by schools with this NEWB requirement is now inspected by Department of Education Inspectorate during Whole School Evaluations.
In conclusion, my Department is committed to the fight against bullying and we will work with other Departments, childcare services, education welfare services and the youth sector to raise awareness about bullying, its impact on children and young people and the measures to be taken to tackle prejudice, combat bullying and promote a safer environment for our young people.
