Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she has studied the incidence of bullying amongst young people which includes social bullying, bullying in the workplace, through the medium of the social media or the internet; if any provision has been made to address the issue with particular reference to the need to set up a complaints body to which victims can automatically refer a complaint and the possible use of modern technology as a means of combatting perpetrators; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56662/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Children & Youth Affairs I am concerned about the impact bullying can have on our children and young people, on their confidence, learning outcomes, self-esteem and mental health. The effects of bullying can last for years, and tragically bullying has contributed to the loss of young lives.

My Department’s 'Growing Up in Ireland' study has found that over 24% of 9 to 17 year olds have reported been bullied. I am committed to working with colleagues in Government to ensure that integrated policy and service responses to combat bullying are high on our agenda.

The new Children First guidelines published last year by my Department recognises the problem of bullying in schools. The Programme for Government also commits to supporting schools in developing local strategies to address bullying, and in particular homophobic bullying, in Irish schools

Earlier this year the Minister for Education and Skills and I jointly-hosted the first National Anti-Bullying Forum to bring relevant stakeholders together. This forum provided an opportunity to further explore how best to tackle bullying in schools and to consider the strategies and practices required to address new challenges associated with modern communication technologies.

Since then, a dedicated working group, on which my Department is represented, has been working to develop an action plan to update existing guidance and recommend further measures to effectively tackle bullying in schools. The outcomes and recommendations from the Forum, along with the submissions received from interested parties, are assisting the working group in its deliberations. Experts from my Department in areas such as child protection and children's participation have also provided assistance to the working group. I understand the group expects to complete its work by end of year.

In terms of statutory provisions, the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 obliges all schools to have a Code of Behaviour. The National Education Welfare Board, which now comes under my Department’s remit, has issued guidelines to assist each school in meeting their obligations which include the requirement to have policies to prevent or address bullying. Schools must make clear in their code of behaviour that bullying is unacceptable and compliance by schools with these requirements is inspected by Department of Education Inspectorate during Whole School Evaluations.

With regard to the use of modern technology as a means of combating perpetrators, the Office for Internet Safety, an executive office under the Department of Justice and Equality, was established by Government to take a lead responsibility for internet safety in Ireland, particularly as it relates to children. As part of its work it is committed to build on and oversee the current self-regulatory framework which is in place under the (ISPAI).

The National Centre for Technology in Education is also working to respond to the rise of cyber-bullying among school children and valuable advice is available on their website .

It is my intention to ensure that the actions recommended by the Anti-Bullying Working Group and other measures to respond to bullying will be prioritised in the new Children & Young People’s Policy Framework being prepared by my Department.