Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the implementation of a forum to help address bullying in schools; if he will give details of a timetable for when this initiative will be implemented; the plans his senior Department officials have to meet with their counterparts in the North to progress this initiative; his views on developing an all-Ireland anti-bullying strategy that incorporates and builds upon the best practises currently operating in both jurisdictions. [17312/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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My Department is at the early stages of planning an Anti-Bullying Forum. It is envisaged at this stage that it will be held in May 2012. If possible, it will be held on 17 May which is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. The objective of the Forum will be to explore with all the relevant stakeholders how best to tackle all aspects of bullying in schools and to consider what changes or updating of existing practices and procedures are required to achieve this having regard to what is feasible to implement in the current financial climate. As part of this process my Department's officials can engage with their counterparts in the North in order to share experience and perspectives on how to improve how schools can respond to bullying.