Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 435: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the public concern regarding allegations of bullying, harassment and poor staff relations at Athlone Institute of Technology and in view of the large expenditure of public funds dealing with related matters, he has plans to meet the college authorities on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20060/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Institutes of Technology are autonomous statutory bodies. Under the terms of the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006, the governance and day-to-day management of the institutions, including 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. As employers all of the institutes of technology have in place formal procedures for dealing with allegations of bullying and harassment which provide for investigation of such matters by a third party. Any staff member who is not satisfied with the outcome of an investigation has a right of appeal to a Rights Commissioner. The Employment Equality Acts and Health and Safety legislation place specific obligations on employers in relation to protection from harassment and promoting the health and safety of their workers, who have rights and are entitled to due process. Investigations into allegations of bullying and harassment, by their nature, can sometimes be lengthy and costly because due process is required.

As the body with responsibility for funding third level institutions the HEA is in regular contact with all such institutions. I understand from the HEA that at a recent annual budget meeting with the Institution concerned confirmation was received that formal procedures and due process continue to be followed rigorously by the Institute in dealing with allegations of bullying and harassment.