Written answers

Tuesday, 8 July 2014

Department of Education and Skills

Schools Anti-Bullying Procedures

Photo of Seán KyneSeán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

76. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 24 of 29 May 2014 and the subsequent completion of the school year at primary and secondary level, if he will report on the progress to implement the new, updated and more comprehensive anti-bullying policy; if he will outline his Department's role in ensuring its speedy implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29374/14]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

When the new anti-bullying procedures for schools were published last September, it was acknowledged that schools would need time to develop an anti-bullying policy in line with the new procedures. Accordingly the accompanying circular allowed schools a period up to the Easter break of this year to make the necessary arrangements, including consultations with the school community, for developing and formally adopting an anti-bullying policy which fully complies with the requirements of the procedures.

My Department's Inspectorate will now, as part of its inspection of schools, be specifically examining schools compliance with the new anti-bullying procedures including the actions taken to create a positive school culture and to prevent and tackle bullying. The work of the Department's Inspectorate in the school inspection process will give a better overview on how well the new procedures are being implemented at school level. This is an issue that parents and parent associations can also raise directly with their school.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.