Bernard Durkan
Ceist:495. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which efforts continue to be made to combat school bullying; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3903/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 27 January 2015
Ceisteanna (495, 501)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:501. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she has identified school areas or regions throughout the country in respect of which there appears to be greater incidents of school bullying; if any specific action has been taken or is required in such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3909/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 495 and 501 together.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department published new anti-bullying procedures for all primary and post primary schools at the beginning of the 2013/14 school year.
The procedures are designed to give direction and guidance to school authorities and school personnel in preventing and tackling school-based bullying behaviour amongst its pupils. They include specific requirements in relation to the use of prevention and education strategies and the consistent investigation, follow up and recording of bullying behaviour.
There is no requirement that schools report incidents of bullying behaviour to my Department. The procedures however include important new oversight arrangements that involve the school Principal reporting regularly to the Board of Management and a requirement for the Board to undertake an annual review of the school's anti- bullying policy and its implementation. Confirmation that the annual review has been completed must be provided to the Parents' Association and published on the school website.
Arising from commitments made in the Action Plan on Bullying, my Department's Inspectorate is placing a stronger focus on the actions schools take to create a positive school culture and to prevent and tackle bullying. For example, parent and student questionnaires issued as part of whole school evaluations, include, since January 2014, additional questions to get a clearer picture of how the school deals with bullying. Furthermore, the Inspectorate's plan for 2015 provides for collaborative research to be conducted in a sample of primary and post-primary on how schools provide for pupils' wellbeing. This will culminate in a research report which will highlight best practice.