Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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146. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide the details of in-service training for teachers on combatting bullying in schools. [6177/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Following the publication of the "Action Plan on Bullying" in January 2013 a collaborative process involving the teacher support services under the remit of my Department undertook a review of the existing provision. Subsequently a three phased approach was put in place to provide a comprehensive programme of support for teachers in primary and post primary schools in the area of anti-bullying. The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) took a lead role in this collaboration. This complied with the second recommendation of the Anti Bullying Working Group calling for a review of existing provision and putting in place a comprehensive programme of continuing professional development (CPD) to support schools in this area.

The subsequent publication of my Department's "Anti Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools" in September 2013 further informed the programme of CPD.

Phase 1 concentrated on the development of policies and procedures and was completed in the 2013/2014 school year. It involved the design of a webcast on policies and procedures made available to all schools, the development of a policy template and a toolkit resource for schools.

Phase 2 was a follow on which included local workshops and working with pilot schools with a view to harnessing good practice and in school support was provided where necessary.

Phase 3 concentrated on raising awareness, prevention and intervention strategies. National seminars have been designed and delivered along with a suite of website materials , with follow up school support available where appropriate.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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147. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the idea of developing an all-Ireland anti-bullying strategy for schools. [6178/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the topic of child protection and e-safety, including measures to combat cyber-bullying were discussed at the most recent Plenary meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council.

This topic will be discussed at a future meeting of the Council and the potential for future North-South cooperation in this area will be part of those discussions. The suggestion of an all-Ireland anti-bullying strategy for schools may be considered in that context.