Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 500: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason her Department does not have a system to record the number of incidents of school bullying throughout the country; if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of pupils, teachers and parents in this regard; her views on the need for a system whereby all schools, notwithstanding existing procedures can report directly to her Department, thus providing a more comprehensive overall picture of the extent and location of the problem; her further views on whether it is unsatisfactory not to have a reporting system whereby the relevant section of her Department can monitor school bullying incidents on an ongoing basis, using if necessary modern technology; if she will set up such a recording and monitoring procedure with a view to addressing the issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24442/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 501: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason her Department does not have a system to record the number of incidents of school bullying in County Kildare; if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of pupils, teachers and parents in this regard; her views on the need for a system whereby all schools, notwithstanding existing procedures can report directly to her Department, thus providing a more comprehensive overall picture of the extent and the location of the problem; her further views on whether it is unsatisfactory not to have a reporting system whereby the relevant section of her Department can monitor school bullying incidents on an ongoing basis, using if necessary modern technology; if she will set up such a recording and monitoring procedure with a view to addressing the issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24443/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 500 and 501 together.

As I have previously informed the Deputy, there is no requirement for schools to report on incidents of bullying to my Department. I do not agree with the Deputy that such reporting should be required and I do not propose to introduce such a system. Incidents of bullying can most effectively be addressed at school level.

As the Deputy will be aware, each school is required to have in place a policy which includes specific measures to deal with bullying behaviour, within the framework of an overall school Code of Behaviour and Discipline. Such a code, developed through consultation with the whole school community and properly implemented, can be the most influential measure in countering bullying behaviour in schools.

My Department has issued guidelines as an aid to schools in devising measures to prevent and deal with instances of bullying behaviour and to increase awareness among school management authorities of their responsibilities in this regard. These guidelines were drawn up following consultation with representatives of school management, teachers and parents, and are sufficiently flexible to allow each school authority to adapt them to suit the particular needs of their school. My Department, through the National Centre for Technology in Education has also developed Policy Guidelines and Advisory Notes for schools and parents which deal with the issues of internet and mobile phone bullying.

The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is at present developing further guidelines for schools on Codes of Behaviour, as provided for under section 23 of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000. The process involves the drawing up of a draft framework/discussion document for the guidelines, which is being used as a basis for consultations with the key stakeholders including school management, teachers, parents, and children. The Board has established an expert working group for this purpose. Work on the guidelines is at an advanced stage and is envisaged that implementation will commence in the next school year.

Once the NEWB Guidelines are in place, my Department will commence the process of revising and updating its own "Guidelines on Countering Bullying Behaviour". This review will take into account issues such as legislative developments, the involvement of the support services available to schools, technological advancements such as use of the Internet, e-mail, mobile phones and camera phones and the latest developments in International best practice on dealing with bullying behaviour.

These guidelines, on top of those that are already in place, will provide vital guidance for schools in fulfilling their responsibilities in relation to this issue.

The Deputy may also be interested to know that dealing with bullying has also been incorporated into training for principals through the Leadership Development for Schools programme.

I have also stressed to the teacher unions the importance of not just having a written policy on bullying but also ensuring a climate in which it is not tolerated in any form and in which children know that if they make a teacher aware of bullying that it will be dealt with.

The Deputy will also be aware that the education of students in both primary and post-primary schools in relation to anti-bullying behaviour is part of the SPHE curriculum. SPHE is now a compulsory subject both at primary level and in the junior cycle of post-primary schools. The SPHE curriculum provides for the development of personal and social skills including self-awareness, respect for others, self-esteem and communication skills, all of which are important elements in addressing the issue of bullying.

In recent years, there have been a number of pilot programmes which have also addressed the issue of bullying. Pilot programmes are utilised as a means of informing possible new initiatives or how best existing provision may be improved upon. The function of pilot programmes is to test and evaluate different ideas and approaches in order to aid and enhance existing provision. Pilot programmes, when completed, are evaluated in terms of programme content, effectiveness and appropriateness and the recommendations and findings are considered in the context of developing existing programmes and structures which are designed to meet the needs of schools at local level.

My Department also participates in an OECD "International Network on School Bullying and Violence". Sharing good practice and the most up to date approaches to addressing issues in this area is a key objective of the group.

So, while responsibility for tackling bullying naturally falls to the level of the individual school, a wide range of measures are in place to support schools in this area. I urge all schools to ensure that they have the procedures in place to deal with bullying so that all children can feel safe and happy at school.