Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

I would be grateful if the Leader provided time for a debate with the Minister for Education and Science on a recent report carried out in the Eastern Regional Health Authority area which showed that one out of every three children was being bullied at school. The consequences of this are serious, both for the education system and the children being bullied, the vast majority of whom are vulnerable and disadvantaged. As a result of being bullied, they are likely to be further disadvantaged which will have a devastating effect on them in later life. I accept that the report deals with only one health authority area, but it surely follows that a similar position, perhaps not to the same degree, obtains nationally.