Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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158. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of incidents of school bullying at first and second level brought to her attention by victims or school authorities or parents in County Kildare over the past three years; the extent to which all such incidents have been fully and satisfactorily investigated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4121/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware that my Department published new anti-bullying procedures for all primary and post primary schools at the beginning of the 2013/14 school year.

These 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. The procedures recognise that parents and pupils have a role and responsibility in helping the school to prevent and address school-based bullying behaviour and to deal with any negative impact within school of bullying behaviour that occurs elsewhere.

The procedures set out requirements in relation to the consistent investigation, follow up and recording of bullying behaviour amongst pupils. They also require that a programme of support for pupils who have been bullied must be in place in all schools. Details of the school's programme for working with pupils affected by bullying must be set out in the school's anti-bullying policy.

There is and has been no requirement for reporting incidents of bullying centrally to the Department. The procedures contain new oversight arrangements which include a requirement that the school Principal reports regularly to the board of management in relation to the overall numbers of bullying cases and provides confirmation that they are being dealt with in accordance with the anti-bullying procedures. The board of management is also required to undertake an annual review of the school's anti-bullying policy and its implementation by the school. Written confirmation that the review has been completed must be made available to the Parents' Association and published on the school website.

Arising from commitments made in the Action Plan on Bullying, my Department's Inspectorate is placing a stronger focus on the actions schools take to create a positive school culture and to prevent and tackle bullying.