Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom tacaíocht a thabhairt don Bhille thábhachtach seo. Is féidir le Teachtaí Dála ar gach taobh an Tí tacaíocht a thabhairt don Bhille mar tá na bearta istigh ann an-mhaith agus is ábhar iontach tábhachtach é seo don ghlúin seo.

A total of 15% of students surveyed indicated that they experienced some level of bullying in the given school term. Bullying is a major component of the discipline issues schools face but most bullying, unfortunately, remains hidden.

Forty years ago, corporal punishment and bullying of pupils by some teachers was a stain on our education system. Research shows that nowadays, as well as student to student bullying, there can also be student to teacher bullying. The children referendum enshrined the rights of the child and all parties supported it. The Constitution will not be worth a whit to the children of the country if resources are not put into actively safeguarding their lives.

Schools are not just places of learning. They are, in good measure, part of the formation of individuals' lives. The children of our generation faced different challenges from today's children. Additional pressures are now brought to bear through mass marketing, the sexualisation of children and pressure to conform and consume. Films and games often stream violent images and narratives and we now have 24 hour social media speaking to and recording the thoughts and actions of personalities who are in the process of being created. Despite these, children still need support, stability and security. They need a safe place where they can develop and grow in confidence. This is not the case.

I acknowledge the concerns expressed by the Minister for Education and Skills about mandatory reporting of bullying incidents to parents and the implications this might have for young people who have not spoken openly about their sexuality. I remind the Government that when introducing this legislation we always accepted that there is room for improvement and refinement. The introduction of amendments would adequately address some of these issues. The Government cannot, on the one hand, say Sinn Féin never offers positive solutions and, on the other, vote against every Sinn Féin Private Members' Bill brought before the Dáil.

Until now, the significant point of contact for children in schools has been the guidance counsellor, but the Government budget reduced their number by 500. Cuts in the number of special needs assistants, English as an acquired language assistants, Traveller support teachers and home school liaison posts serve to brush under the carpet the anguish and suffering of children who are being bullied. The Bill would make a material difference to the children of Ireland. I urge Deputies in the Government parties to rise above partisan politics, prioritise the next generation, support the Bill and allocate the necessary resources.

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