Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 404 of 20 May 2008, the detail of formal procedure in place at Athlone Institute of Technology; if his attention has been drawn to claims of bullying and harassment at the institute with particular reference to employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21601/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Institutes of Technology are statutory bodies established under the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006. Under the terms of these Acts, the governance and day-to-day activities of the Institutes, including procedures for dealing with allegations of bullying and harassment, are matters for which the Governing Bodies and the Management of the Institutes are responsible.

It is my understanding that Athlone Institute of Technology has in place formal procedures for dealing with all allegations of bullying and harassment which provide for investigation of such matters by a third party. These procedures have been endorsed by the Governing Body of the Institute and neither I nor my Department have any role in relation to such matters.