Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 489: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of pupils who were suspended or expelled for bullying in schools in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18242/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Schools are not required to provide the information in the format requested by the Deputy. In January 2005, the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) issued guidelines to the management authorities of all primary and post primary schools on reporting student absences and expulsions. These guidelines advise that a school must report to the NEWB where a decision has been taken to expel a student. Although schools are requested to supply the reasons for expulsion, the level of detail required to identify expulsions arising from bullying is not provided.

Schools are also required to periodically report to the NEWB on student absences. Suspension is one of seven possible categories of absence which are reported on. Again, having made enquiries with the NEWB, the level of detail required to identify suspensions arising from bullying is not provided.