John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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310. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the anti-bullying forum established by him in 2012 has issued a final report and recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31651/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Minister Fitzgerald and I published an Action Plan on Bullying on 29th January which sets out twelve actions to help prevent and tackle bullying in primary and second level schools. I have ring-fenced €500,000 to support implementation of the Action Plan this year. Officials from my Department have commenced work on the implementation of the actions. In particular, an awareness raising initiative on cyber bullying targeted at young people has taken place and will continue. My Department supported the Stand Up! Awareness Week Against Homophobic & Transphobic Bullying in second level schools which took place in March.

Work is also well advanced on developing new anti-bullying procedures for schools in consultation with the school management bodies, teacher unions and national parents councils. These new procedures are due to issue to schools for the start of the next school year. Implementation of these and the other actions identified in the Plan will continue in the coming months.