Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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177. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the word "allegedly" or a word with a similar meaning was not used in the templates for the anti-bullying procedures for primary and post-primary schools in circular 0045/2013 and if the principle of being innocent until proven guilty has been ignored when drawing up this circular and associated templates; if schools have any options to modify template 1 and include words such as "allegedly" or "inappropriate behaviour"; if he will indicate the person involved in drawing up this particular circular; and if he will consider withdrawing this circular pending wider consultation and alternative wording. [44199/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I was very pleased to recently publish new anti-bullying procedures for all primary and post primary schools. The procedures are designed to give direction and guidance to school authorities and school personnel in preventing and tackling school-based bullying behaviour amongst its pupils. They include specific requirements in relation to the use of prevention and education strategies and the consistent investigation, follow up and recording of bullying behaviour.

Under the new procedures for schools, it is made clear that the primary aim in investigating and dealing with bullying is to resolve any issues and to restore, as far as is practicable, the relationships of the parties involved rather than an approach based on apportioning blame. The procedures provide that in investigating and dealing with bullying, the teacher will exercise his/her professional judgement to determine whether bullying has occurred and how best the situation might be resolved.

The recording template to which the Deputy refers applies to cases where the relevant teacher has determined that bullying behaviour occurred and where the teacher concerned considers that it has not been adequately and appropriately addressed within 20 school days after he/she has determined that bullying behaviour has occurred. The procedures provide that in determining whether a bullying case has been adequately and appropriately addressed the relevant teacher must, as part of his/her professional judgement take the following factors into account::

- Whether the bullying behaviour has ceased;

- Whether any issues between the parties have been resolved as far as is practicable;

- Whether the relationships between the parties have been restored as far as is practicable; and

- Any feedback received from the parties involved, their parents or the school Principal or Deputy Principal