Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 100 of 13 April 2011, the number of schools that will be evaluated in each of the school years 2010-11 and 2011-12 for the effectiveness of their steps to prevent and respond to racist bullying. [15979/11]

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 100 of 13 April 2011, the number of schools that will be evaluated in each of the school years 2010-11 and 2011-12 for the effectiveness of their steps to prevent and respond to homophobic bullying. [15980/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together.

In the context of whole-school evaluations in primary and post-primary schools inspectors examine a range of policies including the school's anti-bullying policies and procedures. They review the extent to which measures are included to prevent and respond to various forms of bullying. These include racist and homophobic behaviour, within the framework of the school's overall code of behaviour required under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000. The Inspectorate plans its inspection programmes on a calendar year basis. In 2010 it conducted 259 whole-school type evaluations in primary schools and 59 whole-school type evaluations in post-primary schools. The planned programme for 2011 includes 250 whole-school type evaluations in primary schools and 100 whole-school type evaluations in post-primary schools. This means that the Inspectorate will conduct in the region of 668 WSEs in primary and post-primary schools in the two calendar years in question.

A new element of the whole-school evaluation procedures in primary and post-primary schools involves the issuing of questionnaires directly to pupils and parents. Children and parents are asked to respond to questions about how the school deals with bullying, discipline in the school and whether or not the school provides a safe environment for children. This direct engagement with parents and pupils through questionnaires aims to enhance the evaluation of these themes and support all schools to implement effective measures to counter bullying.

My Department takes the issue of bullying very seriously and continues to assist schools in countering bullying in all its forms, including homophobic and racist bullying. On the 30th May I launched "Including Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Students in School Policies - Guidelines for Principals." This resource was developed through collaboration between the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) and the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) with the co-operation of my Department. This publication provides guidelines on how LGB students and related issues can be included in key school policies.