Dáil debates

Tuesday, 12 October 2004

Priority Questions.

Bullying in the Workplace.

2:30 pm

Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 5: To ask the Minister for Defence the details surrounding the proposed appointment of 200 anti-bullying marshals in the Defence Forces to help stamp out negative behaviour; the role and remit of these marshals; when they will be appointed and when they will commence their work; his views on whether bullying is endemic within the Defence Forces; the number of complaints of bullying within the Defence Forces for the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24411/04]

3:00 pm

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's question refers to the provision of 200 designated contact persons within the Defence Forces as an integral part of the new, revised military grievance procedures. A need was identified for the putting in place of contact persons within the Defence Forces organisation in line with recognised best practice. The aim of the designated contact persons is to provide a voluntary informal resource for personnel who may wish to discuss an incident of alleged bullying or harassment.

An external civilian consultant was sourced to devise the informal complaints procedure under the new revised administrative instruction A7. She also designed and delivered an appropriate training programme for those who were selected for training as designated contact persons.

Some 200 specially trained designated contact persons are being put in place throughout the organisation to facilitate the operation of the new informal complaints procedures. Some 80 are already trained and a strategic plan is in place to develop the numbers up to 200. Some 170 trained designated contact persons will be in place before Christmas. It is important to note that only personnel who have successfully undergone the necessary special training will become DCPs. This team of DCPs will be professionally supported over time by a consultative team, including the external civilian consultant previously referred to who has wide professional experience and expertise in this area.

The role of the DCP is focused on confidential listening; providing a supportive environment; empowering the individual; providing information; assisting the individual and empathising without judgment. The DCP is not a mediator or negotiator as such. The DCP does not function in the role of an active counsellor, investigator or professional advice provider.

The original Doyle report was published in 2002. The report found that 27% of survey respondents perceived themselves as having experienced bullying within the Defence Forces. This figure was notably higher at approximately 70% for female respondents from the lower enlisted ranks. Some 30% of respondents overall perceived themselves as having experienced harassment. The somewhat higher figure of 35% related to females, and the marginally lower figure of 27% related to males.

My predecessor had secured significant progress and notable achievements over the past two years, since the publication of the Doyle report, in openly addressing and fundamentally tackling this issue. The provision of DCPs is yet another component part of that continuing strategy of active response to the findings and recommendations of the Doyle report.

Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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When will those appointed commence work? I would like a clear answer as to whether the Minister agrees that bullying is endemic within the Defence Forces. I note this is in response to a major study that indicated that more than one-quarter of the military had been bullied and 10% claimed it was continuing. Is the Minister aware that the analysis indicates females in the lower ranks are the victims of bullying while in training?

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Certainly bullying appeared to be endemic in the military when the Doyle report was commissioned in 2002, which is more than two years ago. There is evidence that the situation has improved substantially since then. As I said earlier, there is still much to be done but I believe the Defence Forces ombudsman, the new training schemes, new integrated personnel management system and the designated contract persons will have a vital role to play in this regard. I agree with Deputy Sherlock that the original statistics indicated females were more likely than males to be bullied.

On the first part of the Deputy's question, 80 of these 200 people are already trained and ready to start work. We hope to have 170 in place by Christmas and obviously it will not take too long to put the remaining 30 in place. These people are ready to go into action straight away.