Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The action plan is to be welcomed as work has been needed in this area for some time. There is a bullying issue regarding social media and computer communications. I am not as au fait with computers as my children are, and this problem is shared by many parents, so perhaps we must educate parents in dealing with such issues. Bullying probably still goes on in the school yard and teachers are probably under more pressure now because they have fewer resources. Will the action plan on bullying advise schools on how to help victims deal with bullying, as there is much focus on encouraging schools to record bullying incidents and parents to regulate Internet usage? Will some of the €500,000 budget for the initiative go to counselling or support for victims and will somebody sit down with these kids to address the bullying content? There should be an open discussion about the fact that there is nothing wrong with being gay or looking different to one's peers. One should even be allowed wear long hair or a pink shirt. Kids can become victims of harassment.

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