Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 July 2017
335. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the implementation of the Action Plan on Bullying; his plans for development of a follow-up plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36000/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. It recommended 12 actions that focus on support for schools, teacher training, research and awareness raising and aim to ensure that all forms of bullying are addressed. A number of these actions have been implemented in full while others, which by their nature involve continuous action, are the subject of ongoing implementation.
As part of the implementation of the Action Plan, 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.
Other actions include support for anti-bullying awareness raising initiatives and the development and roll out of anti-bullying training materials for parents, teachers and Boards of Management. In addition, the national anti-bullying website, www.tacklebullying.ie, was launched as a single point of information and support for young people, parents and teachers affected by bullying.
As outlined in the "Action Plan for Education 2017", my Department is committed to continuing implementation of the Anti-Bullying Action Plan through continued support for the development of anti-bullying training materials and awareness-raising initiatives, which include support for schools, teacher training, research and awareness raising and aim to ensure that all forms of bullying are addressed.
In addition, the 2016 Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment "to review implementation of the National Action Plan on Bullying in our schools" as part of the development of an "LGBT Youth Strategy that will encompass education, youth services mental health and other issues". The Department of Children and Youth Affairs is taking the lead on the LGBT Youth Strategy and an Oversight Committee has been established which includes a representative from my Department.
