Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 November 2021
124. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education her further plans to prevent and tackle bullying in schools, including cyberbullying and gender identity bullying; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57295/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, I attended the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science last September to provide an update on a number of issues including the measures that are being taken to prevent and tackle bullying in schools.
During my appearance at the Joint Committee, I announced that my Department will commence a review of my Department’s 2013 Action Plan on Bullying and the 2013 Anti-bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-primary Schools.
This review will take account of developments and relevant research since the action plan and procedures were published in 2013 and will specifically consider areas such as cyber bullying and gender identity bullying. The review will also give detailed consideration to the recommendations contained in the Oireachtas Joint Committee Report on School Bullying and the Impact on Mental Health.
This review of the Action Plan on Bullying and the Anti-bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-primary Schools will involve significant consultation and collaboration across my Department, with other Government Departments and Bodies including the Ombudsman for Children, and will also involve consultation with a broad range of education stakeholders, including parents and students.
There are currently extensive training and curricular supports, including through the Social Personal Health Education (SPHE) curriculum, the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) and the Webwise Programme, to assist schools in the development of policies and practices on the safe use of the internet and on the prevention of bullying including cyber-bullying.
The PDST and its Webwise team have developed dedicated resources for teachers, parents, children and young people which gives practical information and advice on the safe, ethical and responsible use of the internet and addresses key issues such as cyberbullying, sexting, image sharing, respectful communication, social media, popular apps and more. The Webwise resources are available at www.webwise.ie.
The Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 also promotes the development of digital literacy in our young people and the importance of respectful online communications. A new digital strategy is under development with planned publication early next year. Online safety will be an important feature of the new strategy.
My Department’s Inspectorate is currently prioritising monitoring and gathering information about the implementation of anti-bullying measures in schools. As part of this work, the Inspectorate will also identify and report on examples of effective practice in relation to preventing and tacking bullying in schools. This will help provide evidence of the type of bullying that is occurring in our schools and examples of approaches that can be successful in dealing with it. An important part of the Inspectorate’s work will be a focus on the priority actions of schools in relation to promoting a positive school culture and climate.
