Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I also thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for his indulgence.

In regard to the report on anti-bullying procedures, September 2013, research suggests children with disabilities and special educational needs are more likely to be bullied than others. That presents an incredible challenge to everybody in the House. It stops one in one's tracks when one reads that people with disabilities are specially singled out for treatment. We know what the budget programme is from the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan. The Minister mentioned that he had €500,000 for 900,000 students. That amounts to 45 cent per student in primary school to protect them from behaviour which we abhor. If we ever get the finances in some kind of order again, we will support him on increasing the figure of €500,000. We are carrying out the research and I hope it is covering the issue of teacher training. We need to change behaviour in society to take account of the fact that certain ways in which young people were traditionally treated are not acceptable. We will all benefit as a result. I have no doubt that John Boland and Owen Sheehy Skeffington were absolutely right to raise the level of our consciousness. I am happy to endorse the way the Minister, Senators Averil Power and Martin Conway have done it because we must look after our younger folk and support every endeavour in that regard.