Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the long-promised report in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be concluded and published; if the allegations in respect of work place bullying will be included in this report; if her Department has policy guidelines in respect of work place bullying; the reason a school evaluation report in respect of this school has not been published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2814/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The officer appointed to conduct the inquiry referred to by the Deputy has informed my Department that he anticipates that he will be in a position to conclude his report and furnish it to me by Easter.

The Terms of Reference of the inquiry, at paragraph (a) (iii), specifically refers to allegations of bullying of staff members. Therefore, I expect that the report, when furnished, will deal will that issue. A copy of the Terms of Reference follows.

My Department has issued guidelines to the Management Authorities of second level schools on meeting their obligations under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act to ensure the safety and health of their employees.

The Health and Safety Authority has also issued a Code of Practice on the Prevention of Workplace Bullying. It defines workplace bullying as repeated inappropriate behaviour, direct or indirect, whether verbal, physical or otherwise, conducted by one or more persons against another or others, at the place of work and/or in the course of employment, which could reasonably be regarded as undermining the individual's right to dignity at work. An isolated incident of the behaviour described in this definition may be an affront to dignity at work but as a once off incident is not considered to be bullying.

As a supportive resource, teachers can now access an Employee Assistance Service (EAS) specifically tailored to meet their particular needs. The EAS now available to teachers throughout the country is designed to support the health and well-being of teachers which will in turn positively affect work quality and performance. The service will incorporate confidential counselling on issues such as health, relationships, addictions, bereavement, stress, conflict, critical incident and trauma.

Services include, single session or short term structured telephone counselling, face to face short term confidential counselling as well as critical incident debriefing. These services are intended to assist individual teachers and school communities to increase psychological resilience, improve communication, develop positive work relationships and enhance well-being.

A Whole School Evaluation (WSE) was carried out on the school referred to by the Deputy in October 2004. The evaluation was appealed by the Principal teacher and, following the review of the evaluation, the report was issued unaltered to the Vocational Education Committee and the school staff. The WSE report was never published as the publication of reports only began for all evaluations commenced on or after the 6th February 2006.

Terms of Reference

I, Mary Hanafin T.D., Minister for Education and Science, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 105 of the Vocational Education Act 1930, hereby appoint Mr Torlach O'Connor, retired Assistant Chief Inspector of the Department of Education and Science, to—

(a) carry out an inquiry into the performance by Ms Cathy McSorley, Principal of Kilkenny City Vocational School, of her duties as Principal of Kilkenny City Vocational School and such an inquiry shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, an inquiry into—

(i) the organisation and administration of that school in the area of human resource management,

(ii) the alleged failure of Ms McSorley to effectively apply the schools disciplinary policy,

(iii) the alleged engagement by Ms McSorley in the bullying of staff members of County Kilkenny Vocational Education Committee,

(iv) the alleged failure of Ms McSorley to comply with the lawful orders of the Vocational Education Committee as directed from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer,

(v) the administration of the school by Ms McSorley with regard to recording of the roll books in the school and the supervision of a foreign trip by the school in February 2001, and

(vi) the alleged payment by Ms McSorley to students enrolled in Kilkenny City Vocational School to attend such school.

(b) to report to me the outcome of the inquiry as speedily and in as efficient a manner as possible, having regard to the circumstances of the case,

(c) to provide an interim report if requested by me to do so.

The terms of reference may be subject to such addition or amendment as I consider appropriate.

Signed this 20th day of February 2006

Mary Hanafin TD

Minister for Education and Science