Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 May 2013
204. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline her progress within her Ministerial remit on combatting incidences of bullying amongst young persons; in particular, if she has consulted with the Department of Education and Skills on a multi-Departmental approach to combatting homophobic bullying in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22100/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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. Our Programme for Government commits that “we will encourage schools to develop anti-bullying policies and in particular, strategies to combat homophobic bullying to support students.”
The implementation of the Action Plan on Bullying, which is being led by the Department of Education and Skills, is an important step in delivering on this commitment to work with a broad base of interests to protect children from bullying and ensure a safer childhood.
In recognising the particular need to tackle homophobic bullying, and the broader issues of prejudice in society, the working group which produced this Action Plan included representatives of BeLonG To Youth Services and the GLEN (Gay & Lesbian Equality Network); organisations working to support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered young people and to advocate for respect and inclusion of all citizens equally.
As part of its contribution to the Working Group’s deliberations BeLong To Youth Services consulted with young people from across Ireland on their experiences of homophobic or transphobic bullying in schools. Two thirds of the young people consulted had experienced homophobic or transphobic bullying in schools. Research commissioned by the GLEN (Gay & Lesbian Equality Network) and BeLong To Youth Services on the experiences of young LGBT people in Irish schools has found that 50% reported the existence of homophobic bullying in their schools.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the actions set out in the Action Plan to tackle this problem are being progressed. My Department is currently developing “A Children and Young Peoples Policy Framework” which will set out high level goals for both my own and other Departments for the next five years. The Policy Framework is expected to be published later in 2013. The development of an Anti Bullying Framework is being progressed in the context of this whole-of-government policy framework. My Department is also working to place the Children First Guidelines on a statutory footing. Within this process we will explore any additional clarifications that may be required to further assist schools in their response to bullying.
The Deputy may be aware that an additional €500,000 has been allocated to the Education Vote to supplement the existing substantial resources within the system dedicated to the welfare of young people. I understand that work is underway in the Department of Education and Skills to develop new anti-bullying procedures for schools in consultation with the Education Partners with a view to their introduction from next September. There will also be engagement with Boards of Management and parents in relation to coordinated training and resources development.
In recognising the lead role of schools, the National Education Welfare Board has issued guidelines requiring each school to have dedicated policies to prevent or address bullying. Schools must make it clear in their code of behaviour that bullying is unacceptable.
Since the Action Plan was launched, two successful awareness raising initiatives have been rolled out. The first campaign was launched as part of EU Safer Internet Day in February. As part of it, the Government supported a national anti-cyberbullying media campaign specifically targeted at young people. The second, which I launched on March 6th , was the Stand Up! Awareness Week Against Homophobic & Transphobic Bullying in second level schools which was organised by BeLongTo Youth Services and was a key action point of the Plan.
The Anti Bullying agenda is a recurring element in all our consultations with young people. It is notable that the majority of the 34 Comhairle na nÓg initiatives funded by my Department have identified mental health services, cyber bullying and homophobic bullying as priority issues for young people. In response, this has led a number of targeted measures being adopted by service providers across the country.
Organisations and schools throughout the country are running anti-bullying campaigns and transition year students continue to pioneer student-led projects aimed at combating bullying and cyber bullying. My Department will continue to support the efforts of these projects and of teenagers who want to play a leading role in the national campaign against bullying.
Corporations are also playing their part. I recently organised a number of information nights for parents, teachers and youth workers which were supported by webwise and facebook. IBM have just launched free Activity Kits on cyber bullying, online identity and internet safety coaching and I hope that companies such as these will support the development of the of an anti-bullying website to provide a single point of access to practical advice and support in tackling and reporting bullying behaviours. Preliminary scoping work is underway towards this development.
My Department continues to 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 to advance measures to tackle prejudice, combat bullying and promote a safer environment for our young people.
