Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. Today is international day against violence and bullying at school, including cyberbullying. UNESCO member states decided to designate it such because they recognise schools-based violence and cyberbullying are particularly difficult for children and adolescents. Cyberbullying has been increasing significantly, as we know. DCU has done a lot of research in this area which shows that, last year, 20% of our young people had experienced cyberbullying, with another 50% saying they were aware of, or had seen, such behaviour. It is a huge issue we need to recognise and tackle. As I said, DCU has done incredible work in this area. The Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, recently launched a competition organised by the university seeking initiatives in this area that young people in different schools have developed. The deadline for submissions is 26 November and the entries can be in the form of posters or short videos. It is important that young people get involved in the conversation. I recommend and encourage schools to participate and make submissions to www.tacklebullying.ie.

I want to raise the issue of the increase in the number of cases of the spiking of drinks, which is very frightening. People of every age and gender need to be vigilant when they are out socialising. What we are seeing on social media and hearing from victims, mainly young women, is horrific. We need to strengthen our laws to deal with this and encourage victims to report to venues as well as the Garda. It is very important to do that. I urge everybody to stay safe and never leave a drink unattended.

The other issue I want to raise is the situation of amputees in this country. There are 5,000 people with prosthetic limbs. Without a medical card, which is discretionary and considered individually, amputees get no support whatsoever. One prosthetic limb is provided if the initial surgery is done publicly. If it is done privately, the prosthetic is not provided by the State. For children, the limb needs to be changed every year and, for adults, every two years. A person who is involved in sport will need more than one particular limb. The State should be giving more support to these people. It is traumatic enough to lose a limb without having to face this lack of support. Counselling supports should be put in place and we must look at other measures to support the 5,000 amputees in this country.