Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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185. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the issue of school bullying will be monitored to ascertain the best methodology to deal with it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44412/15]

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.

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.

There is no requirement that schools report incidents of bullying behaviour to my Department.

However, the procedures for schools include important new oversight arrangements that involve the school Principal reporting regularly to the Board of Management and a requirement for the Board to undertake an annual review of the school's anti- bullying policy and its implementation. Confirmation that the annual review has been completed must be provided to the Parents' Association and published on the school website.