Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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139. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that anti-bullying policies are in place in his Department and in each State body and agency under his aegis; if such polices are being implemented effectively; the amount paid in compensation for bullying claims in each of the past five years in his Department and in each State body and agency under his aegis in tabular form; the action which has been taken to ensure such cases do not arise in future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30749/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Civil Servants at my Department are obliged to comply with the terms of the Civil Service Code of Standards & Behaviour. On entry to my Department as an employee, they are presented with a copy of the Code and they are required to certify in writing that they have received and read its content.

At section 12 it addresses the matter of their relations with their colleagues in the workplace and they are expected to ensure that their behaviour towards their colleagues is appropriate and to support the Civil Service policy on harassment, sexual harassment and bullying. The Department of Public Expenditure & Reform published a revised Code in this regard entitled “Dignity at Work” and it provides an avenue for staff that feel they have been subject to bullying or harassment to report the matter. A copy of the Code can be viewed at the DPER website.

In the period stated by the Deputy my Department did reach a settlement with one staff member who alleged they were subjected to bullying for a sum of €50,000. The case was handled by the State Claims Agency. 

Bodies under the aegis of my Department that employ Civil Servants are equally subject to the terms of the Civil Service Code and the Dignity at Work Policy. On receipt of the Deputy’s parliamentary question, officials at my Department contacted the bodies under its aegis and I understand none of the bodies have made compensation payments in the past five years.