Bernard Durkan
Ceist:681. 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. [34674/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 6 October 2015
Ceisteanna (681)
Freagraí scríofa
The Action Plan on Bullying, which was published in January 2013, sets out my Department's approach to tackling bullying and promoting an anti-bullying culture in schools. These actions focus on support for schools, teacher training, research and awareness raising and aim to ensure that all forms of bullying are addressed. Implementation of the actions in the Plan is ongoing and good progress has been made in a number of areas.
New National Anti-Bullying Procedures for schools, which were published in September 2013, are currently being implemented by all 4,000 primary and post primary schools in the country. Training materials for parents, teachers and Boards of Management are also being developed and rolled out.
My Department supports a number of anti-bullying initiatives including the Europe-wide Safer-Internet day and the Stand Up! Against Homophobic and Transphobic bullying campaign, organised by BeLongTo. Funding is also provided to the internet safety initiative, Webwise, which has launched the "UP2US" and "My Selfie and the wider world" resources to help to tackle cyberbullying.
In addition, two pieces of research recommended in the Plan have been published. "The Prevalence and Impact of Bullying Linked to Social Media on the Mental Health and Suicidal Behaviour Among Young People", which was commissioned by the Department of Education and Skills and the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention, was published in May 2014. "Preventing school bullying of children with Special Educational Needs or Disability", was published by the National Disability Authority in May 2015.