Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

69. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps, having regard to the high rates of discrimination which transgender students experience in the education system, his Department is taking to ensure that all schools and third level institutions have an explicit anti-transphobia policy, that all teachers and educational staff receive appropriate training on the way to sensitively engage with transgender students, that all schools and third level institutions respect and reasonably accommodate students’ preferred gender, that all schools and third level institutions actively prevent and investigate transphobic peer abuse and peer violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37927/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Action Plan on Bullying, which was published in January 2013, sets out my Department’s approach to tackling bullying and promoting an anti-bullying culture in schools. The actions focus on support for schools, teacher training, research and awareness raising and aim to ensure that all forms of bullying, including identity based bullying such as homophobic and transphobic bullying, are addressed.

As part of the implementation of the Plan, new Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools were published in September 2013. 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. The procedures require that a school’s written anti-bullying policy must explicitly deal with identity-based bullying including, in particular, homophobic and transphobic bullying. Harassment related to any of the nine discriminatory grounds set out in equality legislation, of which gender including transgender is one, is legally prohibited in schools and colleges in Ireland. The Anti-Bullying Procedures require schools to confirm in their anti-bullying policy that the school will, in accordance with its obligations under equality legislation, take all such steps that are reasonably practicable to prevent the sexual harassment of pupils or staff. Such prohibitions apply to all aspects of a school or institution’s life, including class time, sports activities or tours and include anyone who visits the school or college.  

A number of anti-bullying initiatives that focus on homophobic and transphobic bullying are also being supported through the Action Plan. For example, “Being LGBT in School” A Resource for Post-Primary Schools to Prevent homophobic and Transphobic Bullying and Support LGBT Students was developed by the Gay and Lesbian Network Equality (GLEN) with the support of my Department. The resource aims to help schools in addressing homophobic and transphobic bullying and supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students. It includes a section addressing the specific support needs of students who identify as transgender. In addition, the Department has provided funding and other support for the Stand Up! Against Homophobic and Transphobic bullying campaign, organised by BeLong To.

The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) Wellbeing Team have developed a number of resources in the area of Relationship and Sexuality Education. The resources include guidance for teachers, schools and guidance counsellors on their role in supporting LGBT students. These resources have been developed in conjunction with representative groups and are available at . Support is also available for schools through the HSE. Further details are available at .

In October 2015 my Department hosted a roundtable discussion on transgender children in schools. The roundtable provided an opportunity for the exchange of information and perspectives on the possible impact of the Gender Recognition Act 2015 on schools. Attendance at the event included representatives of the education partners, Government Departments, agencies and NGOs. The discussions were wide-ranging and covered many aspects of school life.

There are also a range of supports and services available to transgender students in universities and institutes of technology. Most higher education institutions (HEIs) have LGBT societies which advocate on behalf of LGBT students and which receive funding directly from the HEI concerned. The students unions of each HEI also have Student Welfare Officers who can provide advice and support to all students, including LGBT students. Many students unions also have dedicated LGBT officers. Similarly, HEIs also have Student Support and Development Services in place which, while providing service to the general student population, can also provide specific supports to transgender students.