Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael)
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I very much welcome the DCU research team and particularly Professor O'Higgins Norman. It is fantastic to have the UNESCO chair on anti-bullying. Dr. Mazzone has presented to the committee previously and I have spoken to Mr. Heaney on the roll-out of the FUSE programme. I thank the witnesses for their work and their presentations as we begin our research into bullying. We have dealt with many groups. I thank the witnesses for the two detailed submissions they have made and I have a number of questions. The witnesses have recommended an audit on the action plan on bullying. Principals now have a mandate to go forward and allocate staff. The witnesses have pointed out that only 51% of schools have appointed a specific member of staff to investigate and tackle bullying in schools. Less than half of schools, 45%, have researched and identified a specific anti-bullying programme to use in the school. What would this audit look like?

My next question is for Dr. Mairéad Foody on the statistics. She mentioned a sample of 900 schools. What is the breakdown between primary and post-primary schools in the responses received and the statistics given? My next question is for Mr. Heaney as the operations manager. What is the role of the school board and parents' associations in what he has seen to date? My next question is on the roll-out. According to 2019 statistics, we have 3,242 primary schools and 723 post-primary schools. They cover more than 1 million students at primary and post-primary level. How will we roll this out quickly? I understand the witnesses have done great work but it is only with 127 schools. It is still wonderful but how do we reach all of these students with the FUSE programme?