Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if schools here are obliged to put guidelines and policies in place to tackle homophobic bullying in the classroom and to ensure that teaching staff can work in an environment in which homosexuality is respected and tolerated by all staff employed in schools; if his attention has been drawn to the policies drawn up by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37576/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Board of Management of each school is required to prepare a code of behaviour in accordance with Section 23 of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000. My Department further requires each school 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.

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. 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 has also published policy templates for post-primary schools in five key areas, including anti-bullying on its website of as part of our ongoing efforts in this regard. The template documents are not prescriptive, but rather highlight possible approaches and potential material for inclusion in school policies. The anti-bullying policy template is based primarily on the key document Guidelines on Countering Bullying Behaviour. However, it does take account of more recent legislative and regulatory changes, and reference is also made to issues of contemporary concern such as the need to tackle text bullying, cyber-bullying and homophobic bullying.

My Department has been working with the Gay Lesbian and Equality Network (GLEN) on the development of guidance material for school leaders in supporting lesbian, gay and bisexual students in second-level schools. "Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Students in Post-Primary Schools: Guidance for Principals and School Leaders" produced in association with the education partners and published jointly by GLEN and my Department was recently launched by my colleague, Minister of State Sean Haughey TD.

In relation to school staff, Boards of Management, as employers have a responsibility to provide for the health and safety of their employees in accordance with The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act of 2005. 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.

I am also aware that the INTO Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Teachers' Group has recently launched Guidelines on Creating an Inclusive Staffroom for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Staff. As a supportive resource, teachers can now also 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. The service incorporates confidential counselling on issues such as health, relationships, addictions, bereavement, stress, conflict, critical incident and trauma. As with all bullying in schools, homophobic bullying is unacceptable and I can assure the Deputy that supports are in place to enable schools both to prevent such bullying and to deal with any cases that may arise.