Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the initiatives he has taken or proposes to take to ensure that bullying of all kinds is effectively tackled at school level; if he is satisfied that all schools across the country have integrated a rule on cyber bullying into their school rules and or code of conduct; if he is satisfied that teachers are adequately equipped to deal with bullying; if he proposes to provide additional in-service training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51982/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I am fully aware of the seriousness of the issue of bullying and it was for that reason that an Anti-Bullying Forum was held in May this year. As a follow on to that Forum, I invited the stakeholders and any other interested parties to submit their views on this important topic to my Department by 29th June 2012. As part of this consultation, interested parties were requested to indicate their views and proposals on any changes to existing practices and policies in schools that could improve how bullying can be tackled in schools.

I have also established a working group to address the issue of tackling bullying in schools, including cyber-bullying. During the course of its work, the working group has been considering the outcomes from the Anti-Bullying Forum together with the submissions received. Over the last few months, the working group has been consulting with a range of stakeholders and with counterparts in Scotland and the UK. The Group is working on an action plan recommending further measures that can be taken to effectively tackle bullying, including cyber bullying, in schools. I expect the Group to submit the action plan to me by the end of November.