Written answers

Tuesday, 24 February 2009

Department of Education and Science

Bullying in the Workplace

11:00 pm

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 474: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of formal cases of bullying, harassment and intimidation lodged with the human resource departments of third level institutions including universities and institutes of technology here since 2000 to date in 2009; the breakdown by institute and university; the number of persons who have lodged formal or informal complaints of bullying, harassment or intimidation with HR departments of third level institutions here since 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7149/09]

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 475: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of days lost to institutes and universities in terms of staff time on stress and sick leave or other workplace related illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7150/09]

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 476: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount paid out in settlement of complaints of bullying, harassment or intimidation, to prevent High Court proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7151/09]

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 477: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the expenditure on legal fees in respect of dealing with complaints of bullying, harassment or intimidation or defending an institute or university against litigation since 2000 to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7152/09]

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 478: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the expenditure on investigating complaints of bullying, harassment or intimidation since 2000 to date in 2009; the cost of the single most expensive investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7153/09]

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 479: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the average length of time taken to deal with a complaint of bullying, harassment or intimidation; the duration of the longest running investigation from lodging the informal complaint to the issuing of the report on the formal investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7154/09]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 474 to 479, inclusive, together.

Both the universities and the institutes of technology are autonomous statutory bodies. Under the terms of the relevant statutes, the governance and day-to-day management of the institutions, including the monitoring of sick leave and procedures for dealing with allegations of bullying and harassment, are matters for which the Governing Bodies and the management of the relevant institutions are responsible. Costs incurred by the institutions in addressing complaints of bullying and harassment are met from within the institutions' budgets and are not notified to my Department. Accordingly the information sought by the Deputy is not available in my Department.

As employers all of the universities and institutes of technology are required to have in place formal procedures for dealing with allegations of bullying and harassment which provide for investigation of such matters by a third party. These procedures are required to be endorsed by the Governing Bodies of the institutions.

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